West Virginians Head to the Polls on Tuesday

After months of debates, speeches and handshaking, candidates are nearing the home stretch of their campaigns. On Tuesday, residents throughout the United States will cast ballots to determine their future leaders.

The West Virginia ballot for U.S. President consists of Republican John McCain, Democrat Barack Obama, Mountain Party Cynthia McKinney, Independent Ralph Nader and Constitution Party Chuck Baldwin.

Incumbent U.S. Sen. Jay Rockefeller, a Democrat, is running against Republican Jay Wolfe. For the U.S. House of Representatives, 1st Congressional District, incumbent Allan Mollohan, a Democrat, is running unopposed; 2nd Congressional District incumbent Shelley Moore Capito, a Republican, will face Democrat Anne Barth; 3rd Congressional District incumbent Nick Rahall is running against Republican Marty Gearheart.

State gubernatorial candidates are Democratic incumbent Joe Manchin III, Republican Russ Weeks and Mountain Party candidate Jesse Johnson.

Incumbent state Attorney General Darrell McGraw, a Democrat, is running against Republican Dan Greear.

Three are vying for the West Virginia Supreme Court Justice, Democrats Menis Ketchum and Margaret Workman and Republican Beth Walker.

Republican Charles Minimah will take on Democrat Natalie Tenant for the West Virginia Secretary of State.

Incumbent West Virginia Auditor Democrat Glen Gainer III is running unopposed.

Democrat and Incumbent John Perdue is running unopposed for the West Virginia Treasurer seat.

RANDOLPH COUNTY

Since the Primary Election in May knocked one or more Democrats out of the Randolph County races, only two partisan offices are contested.

Three of the six magistrate candidates will be elected Tuesday. Republicans Tom Domingo Sr., E. Berry Taylor and Benjamin Eric Shepler will face Democrats Robert R. "Rob" Elbon Jr., incumbent Mike Riggleman and Terry R. Wamsley.

Either Republican James Hawkins or Democrat Richard Talbott Busch will take over the Randolph County Prosecuting Attorney job.

The non-partisan position of Conservation District Supervisor will be between Tom Warner, Joe Gumm, Stephen W. Montoney and Roger G. Fussell.

On the ballot for Circuit Judge for the 20th Judicial Circuit, Democrat Jaymie Godwin Wilfong does not have opposition. Chris See, Democratic candidate for the Randolph County Commission, is running unopposed. Randolph County Sheriff incumbent Jack D. Roy Jr., a Democrat, is running unopposed. There is no opposition for incumbent Assessor Phyllis K. Yokum, a Democrat. Incumbent Leon G. Mallow, Republican candidate and incumbent surveyor, has no competition for the position.

In the race for state Senate 15th District, incumbent and Republican Clark Barnes is running against Democrat Mike Ross. Incumbent Democrats Bill Hartman and Bill Proudfoot are running unopposed for each of their respective positions in House of Delegates 37th District. For 22nd Circuit Family Court Judge, Democrat Michele W. Good is running unopposed.

BARBOUR COUNTY

In Barbour County, voters and candidates are gearing up for Tuesday's General Election. Many folks are waiting anxiously to see the results of the sheriff and assessor races, along with the Senate and House of Delegates seats. In the other local races, all incumbents are running unopposed.

In the race for sheriff, Democrat John Hawkins and Republican Leonard "Beaver" Stewart are challenging for the position. Hawkins is currently the chief deputy and Stewart is the owner of Stewart's Sanitation in Belington.

Vying for the assessor's office, incumbent Sandra Sipe, a Democrat, is being challenged by current Sheriff John Cutright, a Republican.

Challenging for the 40th District House of Delegates seat are incumbent Mary Poling, a Democrat, and Lonnie Moore, a Republican.

Two newcomers are set to square off for the 14th Senatorial seat. Republican Gary Howell is running against Democrat Bob Williams. Incumbent Sen. Jon Hunter did not seek reelection.

Those running unopposed in Barbour County include, Circuit Judge Alan D. Moats; Family Court Judge Beth Longo; Prosecuting Attorney E. Lynn Phillips; County Commissioner Tim McDaniel; Magistrates Kathi McBee and Tina Mouser; Surveyor Dennis Fisher; Conservation District Supervisors Sam Wright and Robert Wolfe.

UPSHUR COUNTY

Several races are on the ballot in Upshur County.

Voters will select one for state senator representing the 11th Senatorial District. Republican Aubry Wilson of Buckhannon will face William R. Laird IV of Oak Hill and Mountain Party candidate Andy Waddell of Maysel.

For 15th Senatorial District, Republican Clark Barnes of Elkins will face Mike Ross, a Democrat from Coalton.

Republican Derrick W. Love of Weston will face Peggy Donaldson Smith, a Democrat from Weston to represent the 38th District House of Delegates.

For House of Delegates, 39th District, Republican Bill Hamilton of Buckhannon is unopposed.

Republican Lonnie L. Moore Sr. of Belington will face Mary M. Poling, a Democrat from Moatsville, for the 40th District House of Delegates.

Democrat Thomas H. "Tom" Keadle of Buckhannon is unopposed for the position of circuit judge, 26th Judicial Court.

Robert Reed Sowa, a Republican from Frametown, is unopposed for the position of family court judge, 17th Family Court Circuit.

One person will be selected for circuit clerk, an unexpired term. Republican Brian P. Gaudet of Buckhannon will face Robin Spencer Nesbitt of Buckhannon, a Democrat.

For county commissioner, Donnie R. Tenney, a Republican, from Tallmansville, faces Democrat Sherman W. Baxa Jr., of Buckhannon. Only one candidate will be selected.

Republican and incumbent Jacob E. "Jake" Reger of Buckhannon is unopposed for the position of Upshur County Prosecuting Attorney.

For Upshur County Sheriff, Republican and incumbent Virgil D. Miller of Buckhannon is unopposed.

Republican Helen Waybright Phillips of Buckhannon is unopposed for the position of Upshur County assessor.

Two position are open and on the ballot for Upshur County magistrate. Incumbent Juanita E. Adams, a Republican from Buckhannon, faces Mike Coffman, a Republican from French Creek, Democrat Mike Hicks of Buckhannon and Tammy J. Lively, a Democrat from Buckhannon.

For surveyor, Donna Sue Matthews, a Democrat from Ellamore, is unopposed.

Two will be selected for the non-partisan conservation district supervisor position. Candidates include Todd Payne of Hodgesville, Rex Reeder of Buckhannon and Ron Fowler of French Creek.

LEWIS COUNTY

The race for an open seat on the county commission has become a popular topic of conversation in Lewis County. Democrat Pat Boyle and Republican Bob Taylor are running for the spot left open when incumbent commissioner Sam Hicks ran an unsuccessful bid for county assessor.

Current prosecuting attorney Joseph Wagoner, a Republican, is being challenged for reelection by Democrat Gary Morris, a former prosecutor in Barbour County.

Lewis County will also have a new face representing it in the state Legislature. Democrat Peggy Donaldson Smith is running against Republican Derrick Love for the House of Delegates seat vacated by Doug Stalnaker, who was defeated in his bid for the state Senate. Doug Facemire, a Braxton County Democrat, is running unopposed for the Senate spot vacated by the retirement of long-time Sen. Bill Sharpe.

Running unopposed are Mike Gissy for sheriff, Thomas Keadle for Circuit Court judge, Robert Sowa for Family Court Judge, Mary Hogan for county surveyor, and Gary Smith for assessor. Dan Moody and Sharon Hull, both incumbents, are seeking re-election as magistrates. TUCKER COUNTY

Of the races in Tucker County, three include at least one write-in candidate. Races for the Shavers Fork River District commissioner, county sheriff and, in the only non-partisan contest, conservation district supervisor.

Incumbent J. Chris Michael, Democratic county commissioner for the Shavers Fork River District, is running for his seat as a write-in candidate. Michael's competition is Democrat Mike Rosenau.

Current Tucker County Sheriff Tom Felton will have two opponents: Brian Wilfong, a Democratic write-in candidate from Hambleton, and Republican Michael A. Mullennex.

Clerk of the County Commission is the other race where both sides of the aisle are represented. Incumbent Republican Sherry Simmons will go against Democrat Teresa Smith.

The two candidates for the two magistrate positions are incumbents and Democrats Carol D. Irons and Riley H. Barb.

On the ballot for 14th Senatorial District are Gary Howell, a Republican from Keyser, and Democrat Bob Williams from Bridgeport.

Only one candidate is on the ballot for the district races in the House of Delegates, State Senate, Circuit Judge first and second divisions and in Family Court. Stan Shaver, Democrat from Tunnelton, is running unopposed for the 46th Delegate District. Other unopposed races are as follows: 21st Judicial Circuit-1st Division, Republican Lynn A. Nelson; 21st Judicial Circuit-2nd Division, Democrat Phil Jordan; and 22nd Family Court Circuit, Democrat Michele W. Good.

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dad2db
11-03-08 6:38 PM »Report Abuse	Thank God that Rockefeller has continually voted with the leftist liberals in the Senate on everything from energy, religious freedom, anti gun, pro choice and halting payments to an inept defense department that puts American servicemen needlessly in harms way in Iraq. He is in office precisely so the USA does not get caught up in a conservative self-love, self adoration "do as I say" ego-fest. A vote for Jay Wolfe will only perpetuate such deadly activities...You know! "We're Americans and we can do whatever we want whenever we want to and to hades with anyone/country who disagrees."
OldTimer
11-03-08 4:07 PM »Report Abuse	Rockefeller has continually voted with the leftists liberals in the Senate on everything from energy, religous freedom or lack thereof, anti gun, anti life and stopping payments to the defense department while our servicemen are at war. What exactly is the reason he is in office?. Jay Wolfe the Republican candidate will not only help West Virginians, but will help stop the socialist and anti constitutional program of Obama if God help us he should win.

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