The filing period for candidates began Jan. 9 and continues through Jan. 28. Any individual seeking to run for public office in the state must file either with their local County Clerk’s office or with the Secretary of State’s office.

Offices on the primary ballot in May will include that of President of the United States; United States Senator and United States House of Representatives. In addition, West Virginia voters will see candidates for Governor, Secretary of State, Auditor, Treasurer, Commissioner of Agriculture, Attorney General and Justice of the Supreme Court of Appeals.

State Senators, House of Delegates, Circuit Judge and Family Court Judge will also appear on Jefferson County ballots as will Sheriff, Prosecuting Attorney, Assessor, Magistrate(s), Conservation District Supervisor and one County Commissioner.

John Raese, of Morgantown, has filed as a Republican candidate for the U.S. Senate while Sue Thorn, (D) from Wheeling is the only candidate who has officially filed for the U.S. House of Representatives.

Larry Faircloth (R-Berkeley) has filed for Auditor, as has Glen Gainer, III of Parkersburg.

Local farmer and business owner Bob Tabb has filed for the position of Commissioner of Agriculture and faces Joe Messineo of Spenser and Steve Miller of Fort Ashby who have also filed as of Wednesday, Jan. 18.

John Yoder, Harpers Ferry, has joined Letitia Chafin and Robin Jean Davis, both of Charleston, in filing for a seat as Justice of the Supreme Court of Appeals while Herb Snyder has officially filed for the State Senate seat in the 16th District.

In other local races, Tiffany Lawrence, D-Charles Town, has filed to seek retention of her seat in the 65th District. She is joined by fellow-filers Paul Espinosa, R-Charles Town, who seeks a seat in the 66th District and Stephen Skinner, D-Shenandoah Junction who has filed in the 67th District race.

Prosecuting Attorney Ralph Lorenzetti and Angela Banks, Jefferson County’s Assessor, have both filed their final paperwork for the upcoming primary. Gail Boober and Bill Senseney, who both serve as magistrates in Jefferson County, have also filed.

Jane Tabb, R-Middleway District, has filed for the County Commission vacancy. Currently she is the only candidate who has filed other than those who showed pre-candidacy interest.

Qualifications for all offices can be found on the Secretary of State’s website.

– From staff reports