By Patrick Hurston
Hardy County voters largely affirmed expected outcomes in the Tues., May 12 primary election, though several races revealed notable contrasts between local voting patterns and districtwide, or state, results.
Turnout in Hardy County was 30 percent, with 2,735 ballots cast out of 9,169 registered voters. Of those ballots, 1,331 were cast in the Republican primary, 1,025 in the Democratic primary, and 379 by nonpartisan voters.
The 2026 primary marked the first election cycle in which nonpartisan voters were no longer permitted to vote in Republican primaries following changes approved by the West Virginia Republican Party. Turnout levels remained generally consistent with the county’s 2024 primary participation.
One of the most closely watched Democratic races statewide also produced one of the evening’s biggest developments locally and across West Virginia.
Rachel Fetty Anderson defeated former West Virginia Senate President and Lt. Gov. Jeffrey Kessler in the Democratic primary for U.S. Senate. Leading up to election day, Kessler was strongly favored to win. Locally, Fetty Anderson received 361 votes, or 46 percent, compared to Kessler’s 195 votes, or 25 percent. Statewide results showed Fetty Anderson with 33 percent to Kessler’s 27 percent.
Locally, the Democratic contest for West Virginia’s 2nd Congressional District highlighted a divide between Hardy County voters and the districtwide outcome.
While Ace Parsi ultimately secured the Democratic nomination across the district, Hardy County Democrats overwhelmingly favored Steven Wendelin, who carried the county with 686 votes, or 81 percent. Parsi received 88 votes, while Stephanie Spears Tomana received 74.
Wendelin’s strong local showing is likely attributed in part to his longstanding ties and name recognition within Hardy County. A resident of Lost City, he also ran for the nomination in 2024.
A similar split emerged in the Republican primary for the 14th Senatorial District.
Marc Harman handily carried Hardy County with 750 votes, or 65 percent, compared to Jay Taylor’s 366 votes, or 32 percent. Despite Harman’s decisive showing in Hardy County, Taylor ultimately secured the Republican nomination districtwide, 47 percent to Harman’s 43 percent.
Several local races unfolded largely as anticipated.
In the nonpartisan Board of Education race, voters returned what many viewed as a status quo outcome. Current board member Melvin F. Shook Jr. led the field with 1,098 votes, followed closely by current board president Dixie Bean with 1,078. Daniel “DJ” Taylor secured the third open slot with 1,059.
Nathan Delawder finished fourth with 739 votes, followed by Ed Cole Jr. with 616, John Rosato with 526, Dallas Wilkins with 445, Samantha Dennis with 413, Sara Maphis with 278, and Mark Ray with 253.
The Republican primary for Hardy County Commission produced perhaps one of the more notable local outcomes of the evening.
Michael Phillips captured the nomination with 481 votes, or 42 percent, defeating both Justin Evans, who received 371 votes, and longtime Hardy County Republican leader Sherri Hof, who finished with 296 votes.
Evans, as executive director of the Hardy County Chamber of Commerce, entered the race with relatively high visibility in the community, while Hof has long been a prominent figure in local Republican politics, serving as Chair of the Hady County Republican Executive Committee.
Phillips, however, appeared to benefit from his association with West Hardy EMS at a time when emergency services funding and levy concerns have remained prominent local issues.
Phillips will now face Democrat Shawna Crites in the general election.
In the race for Hardy County Clerk, current clerk Loretta Humbertson prevailed over her challenger Trevor Southerly to secure the unexpired term. There was no Democratic candidate on the ballot.
Meanwhile, current Hardy County Prosecuting Attorney Robert “Booter” Ryan also secured his next term as there was no Democrat opposition.
Several other races were effectively settled before Election Day. Current County Commission President Steve Schetrom and Wardensville Mayor Betsy Orndoff-Sayers each advanced unopposed in the state delegate race and will move on to face each other in the general election in November.
Overall, the primary reflected a relatively stable local political landscape, with most outcomes aligning with expectations even as a handful of races revealed distinct differences between Hardy County voters and broader districtwide results.
The Examiner hopes to feature candidate Q&As as we get closer to November.
