BUCKHANNON — A total of 13 candidates have filed to run for two open Buckhannon City Council seats during the May 12 West Virginia Primary Election.

The council candidates filed with the Upshur County Clerk before the filing period deadline on Jan. 31. Scott Randall (no party affiliation) is the lone City Council member who is seeking re-election.

“The city of Buckhannon, which is the only incorporated city that we have, has been on the county ballot for 10 years or more,” Upshur County Clerk Carol Smith told The Inter-Mountain this week. “So the city runs concurrently on our ballot.” 

The remainder of the City Council candidates includes: Joshua Hinchman (Democrat), Matt Kerner (Democrat), Abigail Wiernik (Democrat), Shawn Young (Democrat), Scott Preston (No Party Affiliation), Jerry Cochran Sr. (Republican), Greg Kelley (Republican), Robert Osburn (Republican), Keith Rowan (Republican), Robyn Riggs Simons (Republican), B.J. Teets (Republican), and Jim Valenson (Republican). 

The only other city position that filed through the County Clerk’s Office was City Recorder. Randy Sanders was the lone candidate to file for that position.

Five candidates, including incumbents Roy Wager, Jan Craig, and Sherry Dean filed to run for three open Upshur County Board of Education seats. The rest of the BOE list consists of Danny Marple and Wayne Mills.

Three county residents have filed for the one open seat for Upshur County Commission. Incumbent Doug Bush filed for re-election and is joined by Patrick Lane and Scott Williams.

Donnie Ray Tenney put in to run for Upshur County Conservation District Supervisor, while Amy Karnes and Robert Karnes filed for District 2 Female Congressional District Executive Committee and District 2 Male Congressional District Executive Committee. 

Lindsay Bever, Amy Karnes and Alicia Martin filed for District 11 Female Senatorial District Executive Committee, while Gary Connell, Robert Karnes, and Carl “Robbie” Martin filed for District 11 Male Senatorial District Executive Committee.

Lindsay Bever, Gini McCourt Davison, Jeani Hawkins, Amy Karnes, Alicia Martin, Amber Stripling, and Cheryl Wilt filed to run for Female County Executive Committee, while Matt Kerner, Gary Connell, Robert Karnes, Carl “Robbie” Martin, and Douglas Roberts field for Male County Executive Committee. 

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.