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CHARLESTON -- The filing period for the May 12 West Virginia Primary Election came to a close this past weekend and four candidates have filed with the Secretary of State's Office to run for the State Senate, District 11 Seat.
The list includes three republicans, incumbent Bill Hamilton, Jack Reger and Robert Karnes, and one democrat Mira Tanner-Hughes. Hamilton has represented District 11 since being elected to the seat in 2018.
District 11 is made up of Barbour, Braxton, Pendleton, Pocahontas, Randolph, Upshur and Webster counties. Karnes is a former State Senator and was first elected to the District 11 seat in 2014. He was re-elected again in 2020 before being defeated by Robbie Morris in the 2024 Primary.
Despite announcing two years ago during a candidate forum that he would not seek re-election, Hamilton erased that notion by putting in his paperwork on the first day of the filing back on Jan. 12.
"I'm proud to share that I've officially filed for re-election to the West Virginia Senate for the 11th District," Hamilton said in a release after filing for re-election. "My focus remains on the issues that matter most to our communities – creating good jobs, affordable healthcare, improving infrastructure, supporting education, revitalizing our state parks and tourism, and finishing broadband expansion, especially in our underserved rural areas."
Tanner-Hughes has also filed for the House of Delegates District 65 seat and is joined by Republican Carl "Robbie" Martin. Democrat Danielle Marie Dougherty and Republican Jonathan Kyle have filed for House of Delegates District 66, while Democrat Mandy Weirich and Republican Les Mallow put in paperwork for House of Delegates District 67.
For House of Delegates District 68, Republicans David Critchfield, Chris Phillips and Tyler Williams have all filed. Democrat Deborah K. Stiles has filed to run in District 85 and is joined by Republicans Alex D. Bosley, Bruce Kolsun and Jerry Ours. Kolsun currently serves as Mayor of Parsons.
A host of candidates have filed for State Executive Committee Republican, including Cristin Dusenbury, Amy Karnes, Whitney Morris, Lisa Weese, Ricky Campbell, William Dittman, Rhett Dusenbury, Robert Karnes, Carl "Robbie" Martin, Robbie Morris and Gregory T. Murphy.
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.