LEWISBURG, W.Va. (WVDN) — West Virginia’s upcoming primary election on May 12 will feature one of the largest fields of contenders in recent history, according to figures released by the Secretary of State’s office.
In a recent press release, Secretary of State Kris Warner announced that 2,729 candidates have filed to run statewide. The surge in participation includes 617 candidates certified for federal and state-level offices, while 2,112 residents are seeking nominations for county and municipal positions.
“The number of candidates running for office is very encouraging for the citizens of West Virginia,” Warner said. “Not only is it an indication that candidates know our elections are secure and reliable, but also perhaps that our elections benefit from competition.”
The high volume of filings suggests a shift in the state’s political landscape, with Warner noting that incumbency is no longer “a foregone conclusion” in many races.
The growth in candidate interest is particularly visible in the partisan divide. Statewide, Republican filings continue to outpace Democrats, a trend reflected in the races serving Greenbrier County.
In the 10th Senatorial District, the Republican primary has become a crowded three-way race between incumbent Vince Deeds, Jonathan Comer, and Robert Love. They are joined on the overall ballot by Democrat Kent Gilkerson.
In the House of Delegates, the local districts show a similar trend:
District 46: Incumbent Republican Jeff Campbell faces a primary challenge from Mark Robinson, while Sarah Umberger runs as the sole Democrat.
District 47: Republicans Denny Canterbury Jr. and Mary Catherine Tuckwiller have filed, alongside Democrats Sarah Morris and Mark Phipps Jr.
In the 10th Senatorial District, which includes Greenbrier, Monroe, and parts of Fayette and Nicholas counties, four candidates have filed for the seat. The Republican primary will be a three-way contest, while the Democratic candidate will run unopposed in May.
Republicans: Incumbent Vince Deeds, Jonathan Comer, and Robert Love.
Democrats: Kent Gilkerson.
The local disparity mirrors the federal landscape in West Virginia. For the U.S. Senate seat currently held by Shelley Moore Capito, six Republicans have filed to run, including the incumbent. On the Democratic side, five candidates are vying for the nomination, including Zachary Shrewsbury and Jeffrey Kessler.
In the race for the U.S. House of Representatives 1st District, which covers the southern portion of the state, incumbent Republican Carol Miller faces one primary challenger, while two Democrats have filed for their party’s ticket.
Election officials noted a rise in non-partisan and independent filings statewide, with 592 individuals filing outside the two major parties, up from 521 in the 2022 cycle.
Early voting for the primary begins April 29 and runs through May 9.
