Incumbents to face challenges in Fayette races

Steve Keenan, The Register-Herald, Beckley, W.Va.
·3 min read

Jan. 31—"We ended up with more contested races than I originally anticipated, which is great," said Fayette County Clerk Michelle Holly.

Candidates had until Jan. 27 to file for office, but the clerk's office will still accept filings bearing a postmark of Jan. 27 or earlier. As of Tuesday, none had been received. "There's always the possibility," Holly said.

A field of five is entered into the Fayette County Commission race for the Plateau District seat. Incumbent Tom Louisos, a Republican, will be challenged by Republicans Greg Fernett and Mike Harvey. Also in the running are Democrats John G. Janney and Gabe Peña.

Two-term Sheriff Mike Fridley can't seek re-election, and Republican candidates Jess R. McMullen and Chuck Miller filed to seek to replace him.

In the non-partisan Fayette County Board of Education race, three candidates filed — Joshua Crist and Myra L. Taylor, both from the New Haven District, and incumbent Cindy Whitlock, from the Plateau District. Two seats are available.

Magistrate's races, which are non-partisan, will feature two of the four divisions being contested. In Division 1, incumbent Danita G. Young will be challenged by Mark A. Hurt. Division 2 features the most crowded field and has an open seat. Four candidates are vying for the spot, including Shawn L. Campbell, Amanda Davis, Richard "Rick" Pannell and Susie Worley-Jenkins. Pannell is the son of current magistrate, Richard "Rick" Pannell, who did not file.

Divisions 3 and 4 feature only one candidate, and both are incumbent magistrates: Sam Parsons in Division 3 and Matt Jeffries in Division 4.

In the race for assessor, incumbent Harvey E. (Eddie) Young will be opposed by Charles H. Briscoe. Both are Republicans.

The race for surveyor includes incumbent Jack R. Booda, a Democrat, and Robert Ruffner, a Republican.

Current Prosecuting Attorney Anthony Ciliberti, a Democrat, was the lone candidate to file for that position.

Rachel Prince is the only candidate for the open seat as non-partisan conservation district supervisor.

In the sheriff (Republican), assessor (Republican) and prosecuting attorney (Democrat) races, only one party was represented in the filings. That, Holly said, means that the opposing county executive committee in each of those scenarios still has the option to nominate someone to be placed on the ballot. The final deadline for that to occur is Feb. 13.

Looking ahead, April 23 is the deadline to change voter registration.

Early voting will begin May 1, and that includes early voting for the two municipal elections that will be included along with the primary ballot.

After Feb. 13, county clerks will receive two certified lists from the West Virginia Secretary of State's Office, one featuring state and district level candidates and the other focusing on county races, Holly said. The clerk's office will then begin the ballot process.

The ballot draw meeting is Feb. 20. It is open to the public at 9 a.m. in Fayette County Commission chambers.

Below is a list of candidates who filed:

Assessor

—Charles H. Briscoe, Republican

—Harvey E. (Eddie) Young, Republican

Sheriff

—Jess R. McMullen, Republican

—Chuck Miller, Republican

Surveyor

—Jack R. Booda, Democrat

—Robert Ruffner, Republican

Magistrate (non-partisan)

—Mark A. Hurt, Division 1

—Danita G. Young, Division 1

—Shawn L. Campbell, Division 2

—Amanda Davis, Division 2

—Richard "Rick" Pannell, Division 2

—Susie Worley-Jenkins, Division 2

—Sam Parsons, Division 3

—Matt Jeffries, Division 4

Prosecuting attorney

—Anthony Ciliberti, Democrat

Board of education (non-partisan)

—Joshua Crist, New Haven District

—Myra L. Taylor, New Haven District

—Cindy Whitlock, Plateau District

County commission (Plateau District)

—Greg Fernett, Republican

—Mike Harvey, Republican

—John G. Janney, Democrat

—Tom Louisos, Republican

—Gabe Peña, Democrat

Conservation District Supervisor (non-partisan)

—Rachel Prince

For recent filings, see Fayette County Clerk's Office on Facebook or visit https://apps.sos.wv.gov/elections/candidate-search/.

Email: skeenan@register-herald.com; follow on Facebook. Follow on Twitter @gb_scribe