Here's a look at the local candidates who filed for the May Primary

Jan. 29—FAIRMONT — Saturday, clerks in each of West Virginia's 55 counties held office hours to accept paperwork from residents who wanted to file to run for office in the May Primary Election.

Now, that the deadline to file has passed, here is who has filed to run for local offices this year. However, there is still time for mail-in filings to be received at the clerk's office.

Marion County Commission President Ernie VanGilder, the incumbent Republican, has two fellow Republicans challenging him for the Palatine District seat on the commission. Alan L. Parks filed his paperwork on Jan. 12 and former county commissioner and mayor of White Hall, Guy Ward filed on Jan. 24. On Jan. 22, Sherman Sapp, of Fairmont, filed paperwork to run as a Democrat for the Palatine District seat.

Incumbent Democrat Jeffrey Freeman has filed to run again for Marion County Prosecuting Attorney. Because he has no opposition, he will remain in office. Under state law, the Republican Party still can appoint a candidate to run against Freeman in the November General Election.

Two Republican candidates have filed to run for Marion County Sheriff. Roger Cunningham and Donnie Wheeler will face off in May. No Democrat filed to run for sheriff. Incumbent Sheriff Jimmy Riffle is prohibited from running again due a law limiting the sheriff's position serving to two, four-year terms in a row. Riffle's current term, his second of two, ends Dec. 31.

In the race for Marion County Assessor, incumbent Mark Trach is the sole Democrat to file paperwork for that office, however, two Republican candidates have entered the race. Tom Dowtin, of Farmington, and Jason Smith, of Fairmont, will face off in the May Primary Election against each other with the winner facing Trach in November as no other Democrat has filed to run.

Incumbent Division 1 Magistrate Brian Shuck, incumbent Division 2 Magistrate Missy Pride Linger and incumbent Division 4 Magistrate Toddy Anthony Rundle do not have opposition in the May Primary. However for the Division 3 Magistrate post, Carrie McCoy Biddle will face Brian Stewart in the May Primary.

For Marion County Board of Education, incumbent Democrat James Saunders has filed paperwork to retain his Middletown District seat and will face two opponents. Bill Burdick and Bill Oliver will face Saunders in the non-partisan race.

Candidates Kim Middlemas and Kevin W. Rogers will face off in the race to run for the Palatine District seat on the board of education. Former Marion County Health Department Administrator Lloyd White has filed to run for the West Augusta seat on the board of education without opposition.

The two candidates who receive the most votes will become school board members.

Chuck Cienawski, a Democrat, has filed paperwork to run for Conservation District Supervisor. So far, he is unopposed. Republican Brandon Linton, of Grafton, has filed to fill an unexpired term as Conservation District Supervisor.

Democrat Belinda Biafore, who was recently appointed Marion County Clerk of Circuit Court, has filled paperwork to run to serve the balance for that term of office. She was appointed to replace former clerk Rhonda Starn who retired after having been elected in 2022. Meanwhile, Republican Mary A. Allen filed paperwork Saturday to fill the Marion County Clerk of Circuit Court position beginning January 2024.

On state-level offices, for Senate District 2, which includes part of northwestern Marion County, a newcomer has filed paperwork for the seat currently held by Sen. Mike Maroney. Chris Rose, of Maidsville, W.Va. says he is the true conservative in the race. Maroney filed to run on Jan. 25.

For Senate District 13, Democrat Joey Garcia, of Fairmont, currently does not have a Democrat opponent. However, as it stands now, Garcia will face off with Republican Jonathan Board, also of Fairmont for the District 13 seat, which covers most of Marion and Monongalia counties.

In the West Virginia House of Delegates race, some familiar names will try again to win a seat to serve in Charleston.

Incumbent District 73 Del. Amy Summers, of Grafton, did not file to run for re-election. Three Republicans have filed to take over her seat. Fred Guidi and Bryan Smith, both Grafton residents, will face off with Richard A. "Rick" Wolfe, of Bridgeport. District 73 includes part of Marion County.

District 74 Del. Mike DeVault, Republican of Pleasant Valley, does not have a May Primary opponent. However, on Monday, a Democrat filed to run for the District 74 seat. Frankie Delapas, of Fairmont, is the sole Democrat candidate. DeVault and Delapas will face off in November.

District 75 Del. Phil Mallow, of Fairmont, has a Republican opponent in May. He will face off with former Fairmont City Councilmember Karl David Kennedy. The winner in May will face off in the November General Election with middle school teacher Stephanie Tomana, a Democrat.

Two Democrats and two Republicans will face off in the House District 76 race. Former Fairmont Mayor Tom Mainella will face off with former Marion County Commissioner Rick Garcia, who is currently a Fairmont City Councilmember. The seat came open after incumbent Del. Joey Garcia filed to run for West Virginia Senate. Rick Garcia is Joey Garcia's uncle. The Republican and Democrat winners will face off in November.

On the Republican side, Fairmont State University Chief Technologist Jon Dodds, of Fairmont, will face fellow Republican Toby Heaney, of Fairview. In the 2022 Primary, Dodds defeated Heaney and went on to lose to Garcia in the 2022 General Election.

Three candidates have filed paperwork to fill outgoing Marion County Circuit Court Judge David Janes' seat. Fairmont defense attorney and former Fairmont City Councilmember Matt Delligatti, attorney Craig Erhard and attorney Marion County Attorney Chuck Shields will face off in the May Primary. Because the positions are non-partisan, the top voter-getter will be the winner.

In the other judgeship race, Marion County Circuit Court Judge Patrick Wilson is unopposed thus far.

In the Marion County Family Court Judge's race, Susan Riffle is unopposed as well.

Reach Eric Cravey at 304-367-2523.