Associated Press Published

W.Va. Secretary of State Files Early Re-Election Paperwork

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  Natalie Tennant is eyeing another term as West Virginia’s secretary of state.

On Tuesday, the Democrat filed pre-candidacy paperwork to run for a third term as secretary of state.

In a crushing 2014 election for Democrats across the state and country, Tennant lost a U.S. Senate bid against Republican Shelley Moore Capito.

With Gov. Earl Ray Tomblin hitting term limits, Tennant’s name had popped up in discussions about next year’s open governor’s race.

In a 2011 special election, Tennant came in third in the Democratic primary for the governorship.

Filing for pre-candidacy lets someone start raising and spending money for the election. On pre-candidacy forms, people can pick an office or remain undeclared.