With the passing of the deadline last Saturday to submit applications to be on the May Primary Election ballot, the stage is now set. Unfortunately, the off-year election has not garnered much interest in Braxton County.
Only one race will have competition this spring. Lisa Mace Godwin has filed for a second term as Braxton County Commissioner on the democratic ticket. Former County Commissioner Ronald L. “Ron” Facemire, also a democrat, has also filed for the lone seat up for grabs.
Incumbent County Clerk Sue Rutherford and Circuit Clerk Susan Lemon have filed for re-election. Both are democrats and will run unopposed.
Three individuals have filed for positions on Republican Executive Committee where a male and female from each Magisterial District can be elected. Phyllis Groves and Kenneth Groves of Heaters have both filed to represent the Northern District. Harold Reip of Frametown will run for a spot in the Southern District.
Most of the competition will come in the non-partisan Board of Education race where three seats are open. Neither incumbent, Delores Wright nor DeAnna Whipkey filed for reelection. However, six candidates will be contesting for those seats. They include Dr. Martha Dean of Sutton, Kevin F. Gregory of Ireland, Larry E. Hardway of Gassaway, Carolyn Hoover of Sutton, Lisa Ratliff of Frametown and Bradley Shingler of Little Birch.
In the non-partisan Conservation District Supervisor contest only Linda L Brown of Flatwoods has entered the race.
On the state level, long-time House of Delegate member Brent Boggs and current Senator Mike Romano both chose not to seek re-election. Kevin Carpenter of Sutton filed to represent the democratic party for the vacant House seat. Lori Cowger Dittman of Gassaway is seeking the republican nomination in what is now the 63 Delegate District.
Only one person currently is seeking the Senate seat Mike Romano currently occupies. Ben Queen of Bridgeport filed on the republican ticket representing the 12th Senatorial District.
The US House of Representatives has several contestants in the newly created 1st Congressional District. The old district was drastically changed after the most recent census determined that a population drop would reduce West Virginia’s representation in the House from three representatives to two. Braxton was moved from the old 2nd Congressional District which span a strip from Kanawha County through the eastern panhandle to the 1st District which is basically the southern portion of the Mountain State. Contesting for that seat on the republican ticket will be incumbent Carol Miller of Huntington, Scott Fuller of Kenova, James Edwin Houser of Mt. Nebo, Zane Lawhorn of Princeton, and Kent Stevens of Milton. Only one candidate has currently filed to represent the democrat party. He is Lacy Watson of Bluefield.
While the filing period closed at mid-night Saturday, January 29, application will still be valid if post marked on or before that date.
