DBeard@DominionPost.com
MORGANTOWN – West Virginia may be red, but the greater Morgantown area remains purple, with Republican and Democratic candidates scoring victories in contested state legislative races.
Senate
Democratic Marion County Delegate Joey Garcia faced Republican Rebecca Polis for the 13th District seat. Both were aiming succeed retiring Sen. Mike Caputo, D-Marion.
With 53 of 58 precincts reporting, Garcia held a solid lead over Polis, with 20,113 votes (55%) to Polis’ 16,443 votes (45%).
The 13th district covers the I-79 and I-68 corridors in Marion and Monongalia counties.
And with 64 of 98 precincts reporting in the 14th District, incumbent Republican Energy chair Randy Smith held a commanding lead over Mountain Party challenger Betsy Orndoff-Sayers.
Smith had 22,605 votes (86%) to Orndoff-Sayers’ 3,787 votes (14%).
The 14th District extends into the Eastern Panhandle and covers all of five counties, including Preston, and the eastern half of Taylor.
House of Delegates
In three races representing Monongalia County, with all 43 precincts reporting, Republican and Democratic incumbents retained their respective seats. And a Republican won an open seat currently held by a Republican.
Incumbent Republican Gino Chiarelli kept his 78th District seat, defeating Democratic challenger Diane Market Gaston. Chiarelli tallied 4,624 votes (55.7%) to Gaston’s 3,675 votes (44.3%). There were three write-in votes.
In the 80th District, incumbent Democrat John Williams received 3,261 votes (58.7%) to Republican challenger Summer Hartley’s 2,292 votes (41.2%). There were four write-ins.
The 82nd District was an open seat, as incumbent Republican Debbie Warner chose not to seek re-election. Republican David McCormick won with 4,640 votes (53.9%), topping Democrat Bill Reger-Nash, with 3,954 votes (46%). There were nine write-ins.
Uncontested area legislative races are noted in a separate story. All results are unofficial pending canvassing.
