It will be a hotly contested race for Preston County’s three open Board of Education seats as a dozen candidates filed to run.
In fact, as it stands, all of the races except for circuit clerk will be contested in May’s primary election, Preston County Clerk Linda Huggins said.
The deadline to file was Saturday. Huggins’ office was open until noon and a few candidates came in, she said.
The current list of candidates won’t be final for another few days. Registrations sent by mail that were postmarked before the deadline will still be accepted but Huggins said that seldom happens.
Huggins said there haven’t been so many candidates for the BOE in a long time.
The seats of current BOE members Jack Keim, Jeanne Dreisbach and Jeff Zigray are expiring. All three are running for reelection.
The BOE has faced criticism and opposition from parents in regards to mask mandates in schools and COVID-19 protocols. Two outspoken parents, Nathan Moore and Destinney Ringer, have filed to run. Also running are Cross Kisner, Steven R. Wise, Anthony M. Powell, William “Bill” Tribett, Debra K. Felton, Shawn Lambert and Lucas F. Tatham.
Huggins is running for reelection and is challenged by Lynette Scott Shahan.
Four people decided to run to replace county Commissioner Dave Price of District 1, who is retiring after 20 years. They are, Duane Bishoff, Kevin D. Fike, Tim Moore, Hunter Thomas.
The unexpired term of magistrate Rhonda Sypolt, who died last year, will be on May’s ballot. Preston County Circuit Court Judge Steve Shaffer appointed Eugene Jenkins until the primary election. Jenkins did not register as a candidate. However, Scott M. Funk, Aaron R. Knotts and Cindy McRobie did.
The current circuit clerk, Lisa Leishman, is running unopposed.
The two candidates for conservation district supervisor are Arthur Mouser and Mark Teets.
“Ultimately, a supervisor is responsible for practices and programs that will conserve the soil, water, land and related natural resources within their district,” according to the West Virginia Conservation Agency.
Candidates for offices such as county clerk, commissioner and magistrate will appear on every ballot in the county, Huggins said. Each district will also vote to elect a democratic and republican executive committee.
The West Virginia Republican Party suggests running for executive committee as a way to get involved to chart the course of the local GOP’s future.
The West Virginia Democratic Party states the position is vital to the party and it’s an excellent place to start for people who care about the party’s direction.
Each of the county’s three magisterial districts elects two men and two women.
The candidates are listed below.
Democratic Executive Committee – Female:
Chrissy Zeltner, District 1
Candi Sisler, District 2
Sheila Kae Williams, District 2
Elisha Baker, District 3
Lacey Tichnell, District 3
Democratic Executive Committee – Male:
Hoy C. Wiles, District 1
Gary E. Knotts, District 2
Dale McCray, District 2
Martin Christ, District 3
Randy Tichnell, District 3
Republican Executive Committee – Female:
Janet Ellis, District 1
Linda Huggins, District 2
Rosalita Tribett, District 2
Joyce M. Jennings, District 3
Jessica Williams, District 3
Republican Executive Committee – Male:
John “Skip” Ellis, District 1
Jay Shay, District 1
Hunter Thomas, District 2
Robert B. Meissner, District 2
Don Smith, District 2
William “Bill” Tribett, District 2
Joseph Williams, District 2,
Mike Cochran, District 3
Nathan Moore, District 3
The only Democratic candidates are for the party’s executive committee. Magistrate, board of education and conservation district supervisor are non-partisan positions. All other candidates for office are Republican.
