Voters in Braxton County turned out in slightly greater numbers than the state average. According to Sue Rutherford, County Clerk, 34.33% of the county’s registered voters went to the polls during the Primary Election. That figure surpasses the state average of 30.32%. A total of 2,822 Braxton County residents cast their ballots.
While the county has been historically dominated by registered Democrats, the party’s advantage has substantially shrunk in recent years. Democrats no longer have a five to one advantage which was once the norm. In fact, the 8,221 registered voters are near evenly split between the Democrats, Republicans and Nonpartisans. Democrats still hold a slight lead with 3,281, followed by 2,863 registered Republicans and 2,056 who do not align themselves with a political party. Only 21 voters are registered as followers of the Mountain Party.
In Braxton County, the majority of the local competition came in the non-partisan races. The hotly contested Division 1 seat for Judge of the Circuit Court drew lots of attention. Jasmine Morton will become the first female to hold that seat in local history. She garnered 1,369 votes to William “Bill” McCourt, Jr.’s 1,183. Morton also finished ahead of McCourt in Clay, Webster and Gilmer counties which make up the 17th Judicial Circuit. Mike Asbury ran unopposed for the Division 2 seat in that rase.
Five candidates competed for the Division 2 seat as Magistrate. John Eric Skidmore emerged the winner with 763 votes. Paula Cunningham was second with 558, followed by Theresa Woodling’s 546, Robert Hamil with 433 and Floyd Cunningham’s 235.
In Division 1, incumbent Beth (Prince) Smith easily out distanced her challenger Robin L. Meadows 1,761 to 798.
Two seats on the Board of Education were up for grabs. Both Evelyn Post and Kenna Seal, incumbents ran unopposed.
Incumbent Sheriff Lou DellaMea outdistanced challenger Marty Woods for the Democratic nomination 699 to 462. DellaMea will face former Sheriff and Republican Eddie Williams in the fall.
Of the statewide races, local Republican voters followed the state trends and choose Patrick Morrisey to represent their party in the race to be the next WV Governor. Morrisey received 389 local votes, followed by Moore Capito with 374, Chris Miller with 346 and Mac Warner with 264. Morrisey will face Huntington Mayor Steve Williams in November who ran unopposed on the Democratic ballot.
For the 11th District Senate seat Robbie Morris defeated incumbent Robert Karnes 774 to 423. Morris also prevailed district wide.
For the office of Secretary of State Kris Warner received the most votes locally and statewide to claim the Republican nomination. He received 595 votes to Doug Skaff Jr.’s 337 who came in second place.
Mark Hunt claimed the State Auditor’s nomination both locally and statewide as did incumbent Commissioner of Agriculture Kent Leonhardt.
JB McCuskey got the Republican node for the post of Attorney General both locally and statewide. He received 672 votes in Braxton County to challenger Mike Stuart’s 537.
Jim Justice easily outdistanced Alex Mooney for the Republican nomination for the US Senate seat currently held by Joe Manchin. Justice received 942 local votes to Mooney’s 342.
Carol Miller also easily beat her opponent Derrick Evans and will represent her party in November.
Donald Trump easily won the Republican nomination for President. He received 1300 votes locally. Democrat Joe Biden toped the Democratic ticket with 564 votes.
Devoted to Braxton County, West Virginia