WHEELING - More candidate filings likely are "in the mail" as the deadline to file to run for office in West Virginia concluded at midnight Saturday.
Expectations were that current state Sen. Mike Oliverio, D-Monongalia, would file to challenge incumbent U.S. Rep. Alan Mollohan, D-W.Va. Oliverio said Saturday he was at home in Morgantown contemplating his candidacy, and that his filing would be done by mail once he made his decision. He noted his official announcement wouldn't come until next week.
Six Republicans have thus far filed in the race - Wheeling residents Cindy Hall, Patricia Levenson and David McKinley, Mack Warner and Sarah Minear of Morgantown, and Thomas Stark of Parkersburg
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Janine Varner of Wheeling, left, files as a Democrat for Ohio County clerk as Toni Chieffalo, coordinator of elections for the county, observes. The deadline to file for elected office in West Virginia in 2010 was midnight Saturday.
Secretary of State Natalie Tennant said Saturday her office would likely see candidates filing by mail up until at least Tuesday or Wednesday, and it is likely there could be other filings forthcoming that are pertinent to local races.
The mailed filings are eligible for the ballot provided they were postmarked prior to midnight Saturday.
Most recent up-to-date listings show only one Democrat - incumbent Delegate Tal Hutchins, D-Ohio - as filing for one of two delegate seats to be elected in 2010. Incumbent Orphy Klempa, D-Ohio has instead filed for the 1st District senate seat.
Sam Kasley joined Dolph Santorine on the ballot Saturday for the GOP nomination. And Erikka Storch, owner of Ohio Valley Steel in Wheeling, confirmed Saturday she also will seek a 3rd district House seat in 2010. All candidates in the race are Wheeling residents.
Four Democratic candidates filed in the 1st District - Marilyn S. Boyd, Jerry C. Chaney, Ronnie D. Jones and incumbent Delegate Randy Swartzmiller, D-Hancock. Delegate Patrick McGeehan, R-Hancock, filed on the Republican side.
In the 2nd district, there are also four Democrats on the ballot. They are incumbent delegates Tim Ennis and Roy Givens, both D-Brooke; Calvin Heck of Follansbee and Alan L. Klein of Wellsburg.
R.J. Smith of Dallas has filed in the 4th district, where incumbent delegates Mike Ferro and Scott Varner, both D-Marshall, have filed for re-election.
In the 1st Senate District, Klempa will face a primary challenge from current Hancock County Commissioner Dan Greathouse of Weirton.
Larry Tighe of Wheeling has filed as a Republican in the race. And Wheeling chef/restaurant owner Charles Schlegel said Saturday he has mailed the paperwork that also will put his name on the GOP ballot in the 1st District.
Incumbent State Sen. Larry Edgell, D-Wetzel, will run unopposed in the 2nd District.
Current filings for local county offices are as follows, and more names could be added:
County Clerk Sylvia J. Benzo and Circuit Clerk Glenda Brooks will run unopposed as Democrats. Commissioner Bernard L. Kazienko, also a Democrat, will face a challenge this year from Republican Theodore Pauls.
Candidates for the Brooke County Board of Education, where three will be elected, are Joe Adams, William Schwertfeger, Carol R. Scurty, Frank Ujcich and Lloyd Van Horn.
Circuit Clerk Brenda Jackson and Commissioner Democrat Mike Swartzmiller will run unopposed as Democrats.
Candidates for board of education are Laura Greathouse, Toni Hinerman and Mary Alice Jones.
Democratic candidates include Byard's daughter, Peggy Byard Elliott, and Rod Berry, Donnie Gilbert and Gary Hartley. Brian Schambaugh and Stan Stewart are the Republican candidates.
County Clerk Jan Pest filed for re-election as a Democrat, and Republican David R. Ealy is the only candidate for circuit clerk.
Three board of education members will be elected from among Thomas E. Gilbert, Roger Lewicki, Steve Latacz, John W. Miller and Beth A. Phillips.
Circuit Clerk Brenda Miller and Commissioner Randy Wharton will run unopposed as Democrats.
There are four candidates seeking one of three seats on the board of education - incumbents Thomas Innocenti and James Jorden, former Wheeling Park High School Principal Christine Carder, and Wheeling attorney Shane Mallett.
Circuit Clerk Candy Warner, a Republican, has filed for re-election. And two Republicans, Ted Shupe and Eric Vincent, filed for county commissioner.
Jimmy Wyatt and Kenneth Hunt will run for board of education.
Democrats Sharon Maxine Yoho Dulaney and Carla Neely Wade are seeking to be county clerk in 2010, and two Democrats also want a county commission seat - incumbent Commissioner Don Mason and Keith Nelson.
County Clerk Carol Marshall Haught, a Democrat, will run unopposed for re-election.