Two Primary Races Go To Recount 

Canvassing of the 2026 primary election has been underway in most counties since Monday.  

Del. Laura Kimble, R-Harrison, announced she has called for a recount via a press release from the West Virginia Freedom Caucus she co-founded.  

Results from the Secretary of State show she is behind challenger Tim McNeely by six votes.  

Harrison County Clerk John Spires says the recount will take place next week due to notification requirements in state code.  

“You need to give the candidate some heads up and give their counsecil, if that exists, also give their council some heads up to clear their schedule and say, ‘Hey, we’re going to do it this day,’” so that’s really the only restriction,” he said.  

Spires noted an interesting detail of the recount process, for which candidates must put up a bond to initiate. 

“We’ll count like one precinct at a time, you know, we’re not going to like break open all 14 of them and start counting, so we’ll do them one at a time,” he said. “The candidate that requested the recount, they have an opportunity, let’s say you count two precincts, they have an opportunity to say, ‘Okay, let’s keep going,’ or ‘No, I want to stop now,’” he said. 

The opposing candidate has an opportunity to post their own bond, that would allow them to continue the count in such a situation. 

Mike Queen, deputy secretary of state, said one other recount has been requested in a Fayette County Executive Committee race. He said canvassing is ongoing in some counties, and candidates have 48 hours after the count is completed to request a recount. Queen said he expected to have a clearer picture of the official election results Friday afternoon. 

After the May 12 vote, West Virginia Public Broadcasting noted three other races with tight margins that could change during canvasing.  

Scott Crouch, who trailed Del. Guy Ward, R-Marion, by 14 votes in the 74^th House District Republican Primary, conceded his loss via Facebook on Tuesday. 

Del. Bill Anderson, R-Wood, has not made a public concession in a race he is down in by just three votes. But his opponent Justin Beanard declared victory via Facebook Monday in the 10^th House District Republican Primary. 

No concession or victory has been declared in the 22^nd House District Republican Primary where Aaron Holley leads Del. Daniel Linville, R-Cabell, by three votes.