With the January 28 filing deadline now only eight days away, the field is filling for the May 8 West Virginia primary election. In the presidential race only GOP frontrunner Mitt Romney has filed along with two lesser-known candidates.
Senator Joe Manchin has filed to run for a full six year term. Manchin’s opponent in last year’s special election, John R. Raese has also filed, setting up a rematch.
Governor Earl Ray Tomblin has filed in the race for governor.
Congressional races shows Sue Thorn, a Democrat from Wheeling has filed to run in the 1st District. Incumbent Republican David McKinley is expected to file for re-election in the 1st District as well. Bill Lester, a Republican from Beckley, has filed to run against Rep. Nick Rahall. Like McKinley, Rahall is expected to file for re-election.
No one has filed at this time for the 2nd District House seat.
Secretary of State Natalie Tennant, Treasurer John Perdue, Auditor Glen Gainer and Attorney General Darrell McGraw have all filed for re-election. Larry Faircloth will challenge Gainer for the Auditor’s office.
Letitia “Tish” Chafin, Jim Rowe and John Yoder and incumbent Justice Robin Davis are running for the two seats open on the West Virginia Supreme Court. Justice Tom McHugh is not running for re-election. The top two vote-getters will get the nod for the two seats.