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We're wrapping up the first week of candidate filings in West Virginia, and, while we've certainly heard from many individuals who said they would be seeking office in recent months, so far, they've been a little slow getting in there. We still have plenty of time, though, so I'm not that worried.
As I'm writing this, I'm awaiting a requested list of candidates for the City of Weirton, but I've already heard of at least a few of the individuals who intend to seek office there.
This is what I will say for right now, the race for mayor has the potential to be one of the most interesting this city has had in the last 25 years. Also, city council will definitely have at least two or three new faces come this time next year.
I've been checking on other elections, including our county and state races, through the Secretary of State's website. It's always possible, there are some which haven't been processed and posted yet, but we typically see an early rush, especially by incumbents.
As of Friday morning, there is no one listed as running for Hancock County Commission, for example, although I've heard a couple of names being tossed around in recent months. I skipped Thursday's county commission meeting as I've been under the weather this week, but according to a report from WTRF, Jeff Davis has opted not to go for another term. That blows that particular race wide open, so it will be interesting to see who steps up now.
Ryan Weld has officially registered for re-election to the Senate, and all three of our local House members - Pat McGeehan, Mark Zatezalo and Jimmy Willis – also have filed.
One surprise was seeing former legislator Randy Swartzmiller's name listed as a candidate for Hancock County Board of Education. There are two seats for the school board up this year - those currently held by Chris Gillette and Larry Shaw. Chris also has filed, but, at least through the Secretary of State's site, there's nothing for Larry, or anyone else for that matter.
The school board races in Hancock County have often been quite busy in recent years, often the result of residents expressing their frustration with various actions (real and perceived) by the board. Things have been fairly quiet, though, in the last year, with one of the main focuses by the current board being the completion of the new Weir High baseball complex. It will be interesting to see if that quiet also results in a quiet election.
The three incumbent magistrates have all filed in Hancock County. Ralph Fletcher is seeking re-election, while Omeka Petteway and Stephen Svokas are hoping to get their first full term after both being appointed last year to fill vacancies from retirements.
Scott Gittings will seek re-election as sheriff, and Joe Alongi for county assessor.
Brooke County is seeing a handful of incumbents sign up, including Commissioner A.J. Thomas, Sheriff Richard Beatty, Assessor Tom Oughton, Magistrate Daniell Diserio, and school board member Antoinette Perkins. Allison Cowden, who has been an assistant prosecutor in Brooke County in recent years and previously had the same role in Hancock County, has filed for Brooke County Prosecuting Attorney.
Two of our local circuit court judges have filed for re-election as of Friday morning, and our reporter, Warren Scott, has been working to compile articles for two other candidates (one an incumbent and one a current holder of another office).
As I've said, there's still plenty of time remaining for all is said and done. Candidate filing takes place through Jan. 27, and a lot can happen in two weeks.
(Howell, a resident of Colliers, is managing editor of The Weirton Daily Times, and can be contacted at chowell@weirtondailytimes.com or followed on Twitter/X @CHowellWDT)