Charles D. Hartzog is a 23-year-old Parkersburg native and 2025 graduate of West Virginia University, where he earned a bachelor’s degree in economics. He graduated from Parkersburg High School in 2021. His professional experience includes working as an assistant manager at Jimmy John’s and, more recently, as an overnight stocker at Walmart. Hartzog has previously sought public office, running for Monongalia County Commission in 2022 and for magistrate judge in Monongalia County in 2024.
Hartzog challenged incumbent Delegate Vernon Criss in the 2026 Republican primary for House District 12. The race drew statewide attention because Criss was chairman of the House Finance Committee and had publicly disagreed with Gov. Patrick Morrisey over budget and policy matters. Morrisey endorsed Hartzog and personally campaigned in Parkersburg ahead of the primary.
Hartzog defeated Criss with 688 votes, or 61.98%, compared with Criss’ 422 votes, or 38.02%, according to Wood County’s primary results. Criss subsequently filed to run in November as an official write-in candidate