By Stephen Smoot
On Feb 4, West Virginia Secretary of State Kris Warner announced “more than 2,600 candidates filed to be part of West Virginia’s May 12th primary election.” The number totaled 2,661 with 2,047 filing for county and municipal offices and 614 for state.
Increasing numbers of town and city elections have synchronized with the county-held primaries after a state law mandating that. Municipalities that have not done so still have some years to implement that change, however. Shinnston was one of the first round of cities in West Virginia to do so under agreement with Harrison County.
“There is a lot of interest in seeking party nominations and election at the upcoming Primary Election. It’s encouraging to see so many people who want to become, or remain, public servants,” shared Warner.
Every candidate’s Certificate of Announcement will be reviewed by State Secretary of State staff for accuracy. Candidates have until Feb 17 to officially withdraw from a race. After Feb 17, the State Secretary of State’s office “will be able to certify the final list of candidates.” Within 10 days of filing the Certificate of Announcement, candidates by law must file a Personal Financial Disclosure Statement as well.
Candidates who filed in the City of Shinnston election, on May 12 in conjunction with that of Harrison County, include:
Ward 1: Andrew Kisamore
Ward 2: Kimberly Howell and Amanda Sayers
Ward 3: Patrick Kovalck
Ward 4: Julia Currey
Council-at-large: Rodney K. Strait and Kevin Wiles
For County Commission, the candidates are Susan Thomas of Clarksburg, Martin Howe of Clarksburg, Mickey Petitto from Clarksburg, and Quill Ward from Lost City.
For Conservation Supervisor, the candidates are Emily Virginia Rockwell of Enterprise, Peter Anthony Scott of Bridgeport, and Robert Svan of Lost Creek.
For Harrison County Board of Education, the candidates are Justin Joseph Caroli of Stonewood, Frank Devono of Bridgeport, Mary Frances Smith of Bridgeport, and Tom Tucker of Lumberport.
For United States Senate, the candidates are Rachel Fetty Anderson, Thornton Cooper, Jeffrey Kessler, Rio Phillips, Zachary Shrewsbury, Shelley Moore Capito, Alexander Gaaserud, Bryan McKinney, Janet McNulty, David Purkey, and Tom Willis.
For United States House of Representatives, the candidates are Ace Parsi, Stephanie Spears Tomani, Steven Wendelin, and Riley Moore.
For West Virginia State Senate District 12, the candidates are Lynette Murray, Joseph (Joe) Early, and Ben Queen.
For West Virginia Delegate District 69, the candidates are Lou Assaro from Clarksburg, Jocelyn Blackwell from Bristol, Danny Hamrick from Clarksburg, Keith Marple from Lost Creek, and Andrew Yost of Lost Creek.
For District 70, the candidates are Jackson Howe of Clarksburg, Shannon Welsh of Clarksburg, Salvatore Bombardiere of Clarksburg, Paul J. Howe III of Clarksburg,
For District 71, the candidates are Robert “Rob” Garcia of Bridgeport, Laura Kimble of Bridgeport, and Tim McNeely of Bridgeport.
For District 72, the candidates are Megan Krajewski, and Clay Riley.
All candidates at any level are invited to submit up to 800 words and a headshot to announce their campaign. The Shinnston News and Harrison County Journal has a standing policy of not reporting on political candidates or campaigns beyond these self-announcements.