ELKINS — State Senator Bill Hamilton is among a handful of candidates who recently filed with the Secretary of State’s Office to be on the ballot for the May 12 West Virginia Primary Election.

Despite announcing two years ago during a candidate forum hosted by the Randolph County Republican Executive Committee that he would not see re-election in 2026, Hamilton, R-Upshur, filed on the first day of the filing period on Jan. 12.

Hamilton has represented District 11, which covers Barbour, Braxton, Pendleton, Pocahontas, Randolph, Upshur and Webster counties, since being elected to the seat in 2018.

Delegate Jonathan B. Kyle, R-Randolph, also officially filed his paperwork on the first day of the filing period and is seeking re-election in the West Virginia House of Delegates 66th District.

Kyle, a Mill Creek resident, currently serves on the House Government Organization Committee and is also on the Rule Making Review Committee. He won office during the May 2024 Primary Election.

“I am proud of what we have accomplished and motivated by the work still ahead,” Kyle said. “I look forward to continuing to serve and to working with my colleagues and constituents to move West Virginia forward.”

David Critchfield, R-Barbour, filed to run for the West Virginia House of Delegates 68th District on the first day of the filing period, while Carl “Robbie” Martin (R-Upshur) just put his paperwork in on Tuesday to run for re-election for the House of Delegates’ District 65 seat.

There are currently just two other area candidates who have field with the Secretary of State’s Office: Shawn Young and Gregory T. Murphy. Young has filed for the State Executive Democratic Committee District 11, while Murphy has filed for the State Executive Republican Committee District 11.

The filing period runs through Jan. 31, and candidates running for statewide and legislative offices, state executive committee offices to be filled by voters in more than one county, and judicial offices (excluding magistrates) must file with the Secretary of State’s Office.

The last day for West Virginia residents to register to vote or make any changes to voter registration is on April 21. West Virginia election information, including forms, deadlines, guidance, and a list of all the candidates can be found at GoVoteWV.com.