Candidates seeking election to West Virgini Office attended the Monroe County 2026 Republican Dinner at Lindside Family Center on April 17, ahead of the May 12 primary election.
Governor Patrick Morrisey, speaking alongside 15 political candidates in West Virginia, highlighted state progress in education, health care, the economy, and infrastructure. He emphasized lower taxes and effective leadership along with more jobs in the making for Monroe County.
Republican candidates for U.S. Senate:
ALEX GASSERUD from Elkins, WV, aims for a “generational change” in West Virginia and holds conservative views on immigration, foreign policy, and law enforcement.
TOM WILLIS, of Hedgesville, WV, is currently a WV senator representing the 15th District’s Berkley, Hampshire, and Morgan counties. He has a voting record supporting pro-life, family values, and the right to bear arms. He seeks to protect women’s sports and grow our economy. He opposes “green energy.”
Republican candidate for U.S. House of Representatives:
LARRY JACKSON from Hanover, WV, is a conservative supporting pro-life policies and the Second Amendment. He advocates for lower taxes, clean water, constitutional rights, reduced federal intervention, and believes West Virginia needs better representation in Washington D.C.
West Virginia House of Delegates Candidates
ROY COOPER of Wayside, WV, represents District 40 (Monroe and Summers County) and seeks reelection. He supports parental rights in education, election integrity, and states’ rights.
TRAVIS WALDRON of Hinton, WV, is running for the District 40 Delegate seat in Charleston. He supports pro-life policies, reduced regulation and local oversight for data centers, no taxes on servicemen, and bans on foreign land and farm ownership.
RAY CANTERBURY of Ronceverte, WV, serves as District 47’s delegate for parts of Greenbrier and Monroe counties. He supports reduced government spending, greater financial accountability, limiting state agency growth, and is a firm advocate of the Second Amendment.
West Virginia Senate
VINCE DEEDS, of Renick WV, is state senator for the 10th District, covering Greenbrier, Summers, Monroe, Nicholas, and part of Fayette County. He seeks re-election, supports economic growth, conservative policies (pro-life, pro-Second Amendment), is tough on crime, backs gun rights, and promotes reducing bureaucracy.
JONATHAN COMER, Pastor of Lewisburg Baptist Church in Greenbrier County, is running for senator in West Virginia’s 10th District. His priorities include lowering taxes, pro-life policies, enhancing education, boosting tourism, and supporting job growth.
Monroe County Magistrate
AMY HUNT is one of two magistrates in Monroe County. Magistrates typically do not have campaign priorities since the role is non-partisan. They are expected to apply the law fairly, impartially, and maintain professionalism in court.
Board of Education
ROHO FRENCH of Peterstown, WV, was appointed to the Monroe County Board of Education in April 2025. He has been involved in student discipline hearings, administrative approvals, and other procedural matters.
WV Supreme Court of Appeals
BILL FLANAGAN, of Wheeling, WV, represents District 4 in the WV House of Delegates, covering Jackson, Mason, and parts of Putnam and Roane counties. He supports strict constitutional interpretation, judicial independence, fairness, and accountability.
WV Intermediate Court of Appeals
DAN GREEAR, a resident of Kanawha County, is currently a judge on the West Virginia Intermediate Court of Appeals and is seeking reelection. He was appointed to that position in 2021 and was later selected as the court’s first Chief Judge. He is described as experienced, fair and conservative.
Spoke on behalf of . . .
SHELBY HILL spoke at the dinner for Judge Laura V. Faircloth, who announced her candidacy for an unexpired seat on the West Virginia Supreme Court of Appeals. Faircloth currently serves the 27th Judicial Circuit, covering Berkeley and Morgan counties.
JACK WOODRUM represented U.S. Senator Shelley Moore Capito, while Stacey Miller attended on behalf of U.S. Senator Jim Justice at the Republican Dinner.
Early voting for the upcoming primary election will be available from April 29 through May 9. The deadline for voter registration is April 21, and applications for absentee ballots must be submitted by May 6.
Unaffiliated voters cannot vote in the GOP primary unless they change their registration to Republican by the deadline.
