KINGWOOD — The first Preston County candidate has expressed interest in the 2022 election.
Yes, 2022.
In 2022 Preston County voters will elect a county clerk, circuit clerk and one county commissioner.
Currently in those seats are County Clerk Linda Huggins, Circuit Clerk Lisa Leishman and County Commissioner Dave Price.
Those seeking office could begin filing pre-candidacy papers this week.
Lynette Scott Shahan is the only one to do so to date. She filed pre-candidacy papers to seek the Republican nomination for county clerk.
Shahan has 15 years of experience as a deputy circuit clerk, 14 in the Preston County Clerk’s office. About a year ago she went to the Marion County Clerk’s office.
According to the West Virginia Secretary of State’s Office, “Filing for pre-candidacy is not declaring your candidacy for that office; rather, it is a tool used to give you the ability to raise money in support of your candidacy prior to filing the official Certificate of Announcement.”
Leishman was appointed to the circuit clerk’s position in October, when long-time Clerk Betsy Castle retired.
“Yes. I’ll be running,” she said Monday.
Price will have served 20 years on the commission by the end of his term. He said Monday he’s still on the fence about running again, but if he had to decide Monday, his choice would be not to run again.
But, “A lot can change,” in two years, Price noted.
Huggins would be running for a third term, if she seeks re-election.
“You never know just what’s going to happen,” Huggins agreed.
TWEET@DominionPostWV
