Statewide, federal candidates begin filing for West Virginia ballot Monday

CHARLESTON - The candidate filing period to be placed on West Virginia's primary and general election ballot kicked off Monday with several filings by candidates for statewide and federal races taking place.

According to the Secretary of State's Office, the candidate filing period for the May 14 primary began Monday and continues until midnight Saturday, Jan. 27.

Candidates for statewide offices and federal races - including president, U.S. Senate, and U.S. House of Representatives - can file in person at the Secretary of State's Office at the State Capitol Building in Charleston and the Secretary of State's business hubs in Clarksburg and Martinsburg during business hours. The Secretary of State's Office in Charleston will also be open on Jan. 27 until midnight for late filers.

Candidates can also mail in their filings as long as they are postdated by Jan. 27.

The first to file Monday was Secretary of State Mac Warner, who is seeking the Republican nomination for governor of West Virginia. Warner, who will be administering his eighth and final election this year as the state's chief elections officer, is spending this week meeting with 14 county clerks across the state to promote the 2024 elections, remind voters to update their voter registrations, and raise awareness for the need for poll workers.

“Our county clerks are ready for the 2024 election season,” Warner said in a prepared statement. “We have been preparing for months to administer safe, free, and fair elections in 2024.”

Huntington Mayor Steve Williams was the first to file for the Democratic primary for governor. Williams is in his third four-year term as the mayor of Huntington. First elected in 2012, Williams is the first Huntington mayor to serve three terms, with this being his final term due to term limits. Before that, Williams served on Huntington City Council and was a Democratic member of the House of Delegates.

Monday also saw filings for congressional races. State Treasurer Riley Moore filed for the GOP primary for the 2nd Congressional District in person in Charleston, joined by his family and supporters. Moore is running for the seat currently held by U.S. Rep. Alex Mooney, R-W.Va. Moore was joined Monday by father Arch Moore III, wife Mina, and their three children.

"I'm fighting for the people in the State of West Virginia and, frankly, the people of the United States, and I've been doing that as State Treasurer for the last three years," Moore said. "I want to take the proven track record as an America First conservative to the Congress and institute some of our values and morals we have here in the State of West Virginia in Congress. Bringing that West Virginia fighting spirit to Congress would certainly do the country a lot of good."

Mooney also filed in person Monday in Charleston for the U.S. Senate Republican primary, putting to bed rumors that he might decide against running for Senate and seek re-election to the House. Mooney announced for U.S. Senate the same week he won election to the newly redistricted 2nd Congressional District in 2022 after defeating former 1st District Congressman David McKinley in the 2022 GOP primary.

Mooney is seeking the seat held by U.S. Sen. Joe Manchin, D-W.Va., who announced his retirement following his final year in office in 2024. Gov. Jim Justice, who announced his candidacy last April, is expected to file his paperwork in the coming weeks according to a source close to the campaign.

"We're going to give West Virginians a clear choice here," Mooney said. "Joe Manchin is retiring. This is a safe Republican seat. Frankly, the liberals and the Democrats are backing Jim Justice, because he is Joe Manchin 2.0. We're not going to coronate that man. He's going to have a very competitive primary. I'm going to expose him for the liberal that he is."

Martinsburg resident Janet McNulty also filed for the Republican primary for U.S. Senate Monday.

At the Secretary of State's Offices in Clarksburg, veteran Joe Earley also filed for the 2nd Congressional District Republican primary. In statements Monday and over the weekend, Earley said he was running to ensure no Republicans In Name Only (RINO) represent the district.

“Our country is facing many serious problems on multiple fronts. We need people with real life experience to solve them, not 'Moore' career politicians," Earley said. "Our next Congressman needs to be focused on securing the border, making America affordable again, protecting our rights, stopping the woke culture, limiting Congressional terms, decreasing government spending and so much more. Having put my life on the line in the United States Army for over 20 years, I have the experience and backbone to get results."

Also filing Monday for the 2nd Congressional District was Hedgesville resident Dennis “Nate” Cain.

Chris Bob Reed, a previous Mountain Party House of Delegates candidate in Kanawha County in 2016, filed as a Democratic candidate in the 1st Congressional District. U.S. Rep. Carol Miller, R-W.Va., serves in that district that covers the southern half of the state.

Also filing statewide candidacy paperwork Monday was Kris Warner, brother of Mac Warner, for the GOP primary for secretary of state. Kris Warner is the executive director of the state Economic Development Authority, former USDA Rural Development state director, and former chairman of the West Virginia Republican Party.

South Charleston attorney Thornton Cooper filed as a Democratic candidate for Secretary of State. Cooper has long been active in state Democratic Party politics as a frequent candidate for the state Democratic Executive Committee and as an unsuccessful candidate for House of Delegates in Kanawha County.

House Majority Leader Eric Householder, R-Berkeley, filed Monday for the Republican primary for state auditor to succeed State Auditor J.B. McCuskey. While they haven't filed yet, former Nicholas County delegate Caleb Hanna and Jefferson County Commissioner Tricia Jackson announced GOP candidacies for state auditor last year.

"I love West Virginia. As auditor of our great state, I will work hard every day to uncover and expose waste and corruption in every part of state government," Householder said. "I'll put my proven business skills and solid legislative experience to work for all the citizens of the Mountain State."

In statewide judicial races, Justice Haley Bunn filed for the West Virginia Supreme Court of Appeals seat she was appointed to by Justice in 2022. Bunn is serving the remaining term of former justice Evan Jenkins. Senate Judiciary Committee Chairman Charles Trump, R-Morgan, also filed for the Supreme Court seat held by Justice John Hutchison, who is retiring at the end of his term.

Residents have until Tuesday, April 23, to register to vote or update voter registrations in time for the May primary either with county clerks or through the Secretary of State's Office at GoVoteWV.com. Voters wishing to vote by absentee ballot can begin filing applications until Wednesday, May 8. Early voting begins Wednesday, May 1, through Saturday, May 11, excluding Sundays. The primary election day is Tuesday, May 14.