Tag: 2014 Primary

Unopposed Benwood Councilman Left Off Ballot

 A Benwood City Council member didn’t have any opponents in this month’s election. But his re-election is in doubt after his name was mistakenly left off the ballot.

Curtis Mele is one of four council members who were unopposed in the May 13 election.

The Intelligencer and Wheeling News-Register reports that the ballot mistakenly listed Councilman Chuck Terry as the candidate in Mele’s district. Mele’s name didn’t appear on the ballot.

Mayor Ed Kuca says City Attorney Eric Gordon has sought advice from the West Virginia Secretary of State’s Office on how the city should proceed.

Secretary of State’s Office spokesman Jake Glance says the election results have been certified. He says a court likely would decide the matter.

West Virginia 22nd House District Primary Election Deadlocked

  After last week’s primary, two Democrats are locked in a tie to advance to a November election for the state House of Delegates.

If recounts don’t change the totals, a delegate appointed by Gov. Earl Ray Tomblin could be hand-picked again by the state’s top executive.

Del. Joshua Barker and former Lincoln school board member Gary McCallister are tied in House District 22. Barker led by three, but his lead disappeared during vote canvassing.

A Democratic executive committee for the Lincoln, Boone, Logan and Putnam county district can break the tie. 

Tomblin appointed Barker to a vacant seat last July.

Del. Jeff Eldridge won the other Democratic primary slot in the two-seat district. Two Republicans await in the general election.

West Virginia Primary Turnout Less Than 20 Percent

  West Virginia’s secretary of state says voter turnout for this week’s election was 19.7 percent, a 4-percent drop from a similar 2010 midterm primary.

Unofficial results show 241,020 ballots were cast this election.

About 46,800 people voted early and absentee combined, which Secretary of State Natalie Tennant’s office called a midterm primary record. Still, turnout remained low.

Midterm primary turnout has been cut in half since 1994, when 39 percent voted.

Tennant’s office says there were minor issues, like incorrectly numbered precincts and inconvenient road construction. Logan and Hardy county precincts experienced power outages, but voting was uninterrupted after officials switched to battery backup.

A high profile U.S. Senate race featured primaries for Democrat Tennant and GOP Congresswoman Shelley Moore Capito. Both advanced easily against little-known opponents.

Canvassing begins Monday.

West Virginia Primary: Five Things to Know

  West Virginia voters will cast primary election ballots today to set the November slate for a U.S. Senate seat, three congressional districts, the entire state House of Delegates, half of the state Senate and many local races.

Here are five things to know about election day in the state:

1. Tight GOP Race for Congress

Seven Republicans are vying for the seat filled by GOP U.S. Rep. Shelley Moore Capito, who is leaving the post to run for Senate. Alex Mooney, Ken Reed, Charlotte Lane and Ron Walters have each spent more than $125,000 before Tuesday’s election. Democrat Nick Casey is is up against state House Delegate Meshea Poore.

2.  Few Statehouse Contests

All 100 seats in the state House of Delegates and 17 of the 34 in the Senate are on the midterm ballot. Only four Senate districts feature contested primaries, however. In the House, where Republicans seek control for the first time in 85 years, fewer than half of the 67 districts include primary contests.

3. Presumed Wins in the U.S. Senate, House

Capito and her likely opponent, Democratic Secretary of State Natalie Tennant, are expected to win their party primaries for the U.S. Senate easily Tuesday. The outcome of their presumed November election for retiring Democrat Jay Rockefeller’s seat could influence control in the Democratic U.S. Senate. U.S. Rep. Nick Rahall is expected to win his re-election primary contest and face Republican Evan Jenkins in a high-profile November race.

4. Low Turnout Expected

Voters typically don’t turn out in droves in non-presidential election years, and participation is even lower in primaries. In the 2010 midterm primary, only 24 percent of registered voters cast ballots. The 2012 presidential primary year produced a 28 percent turnout, while the 2008 primary yielded 43 percent. However, about 45,500 people voted early and 2,300 voted on absentee ballots, which the Secretary of State’s office called a state midterm primary election record.

5. At the Polls

Voting stations are open today from 6:30 a.m. to 7:30 p.m. Forecasts call for a 30 percent chance of rain and temperatures in the high 80s. Voters can find their polling place on the secretary of state’s website.

2014 Primary Election Live Blog

Polls are now closed around the state. Keep refreshing this page to see the latest.

Updated: Tuesday, May 13 at 11:50 p.m.

House of Delegates 24 District Democratic incumbents Rupert Phillips and Ted Tomblin appear to be in dead tie over who will take the second of two nominations for their party in that district. 

Results from the AP are as follows: 

39 of 39 precincts – 100 percent

x-Ralph Rodighiero 2,249 – 30 percent

 
Rupert Phillips (i) 2,013 – 27 percent

Ted Tomblin (i) 2,013 – 27 percent

David Graham 1,135 – 15 percent

(2 to be nominated)
 

Updated: Tuesday, May 13 at 11:35 p.m.

The AP has officially called the Democratic primary for the State Senate’s 12th District. Mike Romano defeats incumbent Sam Cann.  According to the Secretary of State’s Campaign Finance Reporting System, over $200,000 was spent between the candidates.

Updated: Tuesday, May 13 at 11:30 p.m.

The Associated Press has called a couple more races for the West Virginia Statehouse primary:

  • Ken Hicks, Dem, nominated House of Delegates, District 19
  • Josh McGrath, Dem, nominated House of Delegates, District 13
  • Courtney Jesser, Dem, nominated House of Delegates, District 42
  • Joe Shaffer, Dem, nominated House of Delegates, District 48
  • Richard Iaquinta, Dem, nominated House of Delegates, District 48
  • Daryl Cowles, GOP, nominated House of Delegates, District 58
  • Allen Evans, GOP, nominated House of Delegates, District 54
  • Robert Karnes, GOP, nominated State Senate, District 11
  • James Atchison, GOP, nominated House of Delegates, District 46
  • Brian Griffith, GOP, nominated House of Delegates, District 34

 Updated: Tuesday, May 13 at 10:59 p.m.

According to reports from around the state, a few incumbents in Statehouse races have been or will likely be knocked out by newcomers: 

Updated: Tuesday, May 13 at 10:51 p.m.

Also, even more House of Delegates races have been decided by The Associated Press. The winners include:

  • Jeff Eldridge, Dem, nominated House of Delegates, District 22
  • Joshua Barker, Dem, nominated House of Delegates, District 22
  • Clif Moore, Dem, nominated House of Delegates, District 26
  • Geoff Foster, GOP, nominated House of Delegates, District 15
  • Mike Ferro, Dem, nominated House of Delegates, District 4
  • Mark Dean, GOP, nominated House of Delegates, District 21
  • Patrick Lucas, GOP, nominated House of Delegates, District 16
  • Coy Flowers, Dem, nominated House of Delegates, District 42
  • Tim Miley, Dem, nominated House of Delegates, District 48
  • Patsy Trecost, Dem, nominated House of Delegates, District 48
  • Dave Hall, Dem, nominated House of Delegates, District 4
  • Danny Hamrick, GOP, nominated House of Delegates, District 48
  • Theresa Waxman, GOP, nominated House of Delegates, District 48
  • Diana Bartley, GOP, nominated House of Delegates, District 48
  • Margaret Bailey, GOP, nominated House of Delegates, District 48
  • Don Perdue, Dem, nominated House of Delegates, District 19

Updated: Tuesday, May 13 at 9:58 p.m.

More Statehouse primaries have had a winner declared by The Associated Press. They are:

  • Billy Chaffin, Dem, nominated House of Delegates, District 18
  • Brad White, GOP, nominated House of Delegates, District 36
  • Stevie Thaxton, GOP, nominated House of Delegates, District 36
  • Joshua Martin, Dem, nominated House of Delegates, District 13
  • Scott Cadle, GOP, nominated House of Delegates, District 13
  • Michael Ihle, GOP, nominated House of Delegates, District 13
  • Mick Bates, Dem, nominated House of Delegates, District 30
  • Larry Faircloth, GOP, nominated House of Delegates, District 60
  • Mary Boltz, GOP, nominated House of Delegates, District 43
  • Saira Blair, GOP, nominated House of Delegates, District 59
  • Chris Stansbury, GOP, nominated House of Delegates, District 35
  • Thornton Cooper, Dem, nominated House of Delegates, District 35

Updated: Tuesday, May 13 at 9:50 p.m.

The Associated Press says more races in the House of Delegates have been decided:

  • Erikka Storch, GOP, nominated House of Delegates, District 3
  • Mike Pushkin, Dem, nominated House of Delegates, District 37
  • Larry Rowe, Dem, nominated House of Delegates, District 36
  • Nancy Guthrie, Dem, nominated House of Delegates, District 36
  • Danny Wells, Dem, nominated House of Delegates, District 36
  • James McNeely, Dem, nominated House of Delegates, District 28
  • Greg Wood, GOP, nominated House of Delegates, District 29
  • James Brown, Dem, nominated House of Delegates, District 28

Updated: Tuesday, May 13 at 9:40 p.m.

Former Maryland Republican Party chairman Alex Mooney has emerged from a crowded field to earn the GOP’s nomination in West Virginia’s 2nd Congressional District.

Seven Republicans were in the field as the GOP tries to retain the seat currently held by Shelley Moore Capito, who is running for U.S. Senate.

Unofficial returns show Mooney had 33 percent of the vote, and both Berkeley County pharmacist Ken Reed and Charleston attorney Charlotte Lane were at about 20 percent.

Others in the race were Charles Town private investigator Robert Fluharty, former state legislator Steve Harrison, Hurricane businessman Jim Moss and Charleston financial consultant Ron Walters Jr.

Also, more Statehouse races have been called:  

  • Frank Deem, GOP, nominated House of Delegates, District 10
  • John Kelly, GOP, nominated House of Delegates, District 10

Those nominees round out the GOP’s three nominations for West Virginia’s 10th Delegate District, along with Mike Azinger, who was declared a winner earlier this evening.
Updated: Tuesday, May 13 at 9:35 p.m.

 
More Statehouse races have been called for seats up for grabs in November. Here’s a few that just came down from the West Virginia  Senate:

  • Tom Takubo, GOP, nominated State Senate, District 17
  • Mike Woelfel, Dem, nominated State Senate, District 5

As for races in the House of Delegates, the following races have just been called:

  • Lynwood Ireland, GOP, nominated House of Delegates, District 7
  • Danny Wagner, GOP, nominated House of Delegates, District 47
  • Amanda Pasdon, GOP, nominated House of Delegates, District 51
  • Cindy Frich, GOP, nominated House of Delegates, District 51
  • Brian Kurcaba, GOP, nominated House of Delegates, District 51
  • Barbara Hatfield, Dem, nominated House of Delegates, District 35
  • Andrew Byrd, Dem, nominated House of Delegates, District 35
  • Sherri Wong, Dem, nominated House of Delegates, District 35

Updated: Tuesday, May 13 at 9:22 p.m.

Nick Casey has been called as the winner of the U.S. House 2nd District. He defeated Del. Meshea Poore, who  gave up her chance to seek reelection for the 37th District in the House of Delegates to run for the Congressional seat being vacated by Rep. Shelley Moore Capito. Earlier this evening, Capito was declared the Republican nominee for U.S. Senate.

Also, a few more races have been declared for seats in the West Virginia Legislature:

  • Barbara Fleischauer, Dem, nominated House of Delegates, District 51
  • Charlene Marshall, Dem, nominated House of Delegates, District 51

Updated: Tuesday, May 13 at 9:22 p.m.

Primary races for West Virginia Statehouse seats are now being called by The Associated Press. They include:

  • Steve Westfall, GOP, nominated House of Delegates, District 12
  • Charles Kinnison, GOP, nominated House of Delegates, District 43
  • Mike Azinger, GOP, nominated House of Delegates, District 10
  • Patricia Rucker, GOP, nominated House of Delegates, District 67
  • Justin Marcum, Dem, nominated House of Delegates, District 20

Updated: Tuesday, May 13 at 8:59 p.m.

The Associated Press has called Rep. Nick Rahall as the winner of Democratic primary in West Virginia’s 3rd District, beating Richard Ojeda. Rahall will face the GOP’s Evan Jenkins, who ran unopposed in the primary.

Also, West Virginia Secretary of State Natalie Tennant, now the Democratic nominee for U.S. Senate, said in a news release she is challenging Republican U.S. Senate nominee and current U.S. Rep. Shelley Moore Capito to a series of five debates before the November election. 

Updated: Tuesday, May 13 at 8:38 p.m.

West Virginia Secretary of State Natalie Tennant has won the Democratic nomination for the U.S. Senate.

She defeated Dennis Melton and David B. Wamsley on Tuesday in the contest to replace Sen. Jay Rockefeller, who is retiring.

Her Republican opponent, U.S. Rep. Shelley Moore Capito, is favored to win the general election and currently has a 4-to-1 cash advantage.

Tennant spent 12 years as a television reporter in West Virginia and was the first woman to serve as West Virginia University’s Mountaineer mascot.

She is counting on her allegiance to the coal industry to separate herself from an unpopular President Barack Obama.

West Virginia has never elected a female senator and hasn’t sent a Republican to the Senate since the 1950s.

Updated: Tuesday, May 13 at 8:23 p.m.

The Associated Press has called U.S. Rep. Shelley Moore Capito the winner of the Republican nomination for the U.S. Senate in West Virginia.

She easily defeated Larry Eugene Butcher and Matthew Dodrill Tuesday to be the GOP nominee. She is running for the seat being left vacant by retiring Democratic Sen. Jay Rockefeller.

The 60-year-old Capito has built a 4-to-1 cash advantage over her likely Democratic opponent, Secretary of State Natalie Tennant.

In the primary, Capito avoided a tea party-fueled challenge from the right, despite less-than-enthusiastic reviews of her voting record by well-funded conservative groups.

Her most viable conservative challenger, former Republican state House delegate Pat McGeehan, struggled to raise money and ended his campaign in January.

West Virginia has never elected a female senator and hasn’t sent a Republican to the Senate since the 1950s. 

Updated: Tuesday, May 13 at 8:14 p.m.

West Virginia Metro News reports that results are beginning to come in for the seat to be vacated by retiring U.S. Senator Jay Rockefeller. Democrat Natalie Tennant and Republic Shelley Moore Capito–both favorites in their respective party races–are in the lead with just 12 precincts reporting in that race.

Updated: Tuesday, May 13 at 7:55 p.m.

The Associated Press reports there are a number of uncontested races this primary, including both the Democrat and GOP races in the U.S. House 1st District and the GOP contest for the U.S. House 3rd District. U.S. House 1st District Incumbent David McKinley (R) will square off against Glen Gainer (D) in November. In the U.S. House 3rd district, Republican Evan Jenkins will inevitably face the winner of the Democratic Primary between incumbent Nick Rahall and Richard Ojeda.

Several West Virgina House of Delegates and State Senate races are also uncontested. 

Updated: Tuesday, May 13 at 7:24 p.m.

Polls will close in minutes. However, if you are in line at 7:30, you are still allowed to vote.

Reports from various sources indicate power outages affected precincts in two counties:

 
Updated: Tuesday, May 13 at 4:55 p.m.

West Virginia Secretary of State Natalie Tennant says turnout in Tuesday’s primary election has been low to moderate, and voting has gone smoothly.

Several primary races will set up more compelling November matchups, including one that will determine who will replace retiring U.S. Sen. Jay Rockefeller.

Tennant and Republican U.S. Rep. Shelley Moore Capito will likely advance Tuesday to a general election for that seat. Rockefeller, a Democrat, has held the post since 1985.

Democratic U.S. Rep. Nick Rahall is expected to advance to face Republican state Sen. Evan Jenkins in November.

The 100-seat state House of Delegates is up for election. A six-seat Democratic majority is in question. Seventeen of the Democratic state Senate’s 34 seats are on the ballot. Few state races are contested.

Updated: Tuesday, May 13 at 12:36 a.m.

A news release issued Monday from the Secretary of State’s office says more than 44,000 votes were cast in 54 of the state’s 55 counties during the early voting period this year, which ended on Saturday. 

 

 

34,000 Vote Early in West Virginia Primary

  About 34,000 West Virginians have voted early ahead of Tuesday’s primary.

The figure released by the Secretary of State’s office Friday reflects in-person and absentee ballots cast. The early voting period opened April 30 and ends Saturday.

The light turnout could reflect a relatively small number of contested races. The lone statewide race involves the U.S. Senate, where three candidates each are running in the Democratic and Republican primaries.

Seven candidates are seeking the Republican nomination in a bid to succeed 2nd District GOP Congresswoman Shelley Moore Capito, who is running for the Senate seat being vacated by the retiring Jay Rockefeller.

Fewer than half of the 67 House of Delegates districts and only four of 17 Senate seats up for election have contested races next week.

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