By Beth Christian Broschart
The Parsons Advocate
PARSONS – This year’s Primary Election is coming up quick – and is slated for May 10, with polls opening at 6:30 a.m. and closing at 7:30 p.m. Early voting in Tucker County begins April 27 and is available Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. in the Tucker Courthouse Annex room 204.
Saturday dates for early voting are from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. at the Tucker County Courthouse Annex room 204 on April 30 and May 7.
The last day to register to vote in this year’s primary election is April 19. Those wishing to register to vote can do so at the Tucker County Courthouse Annex Room 204 or at the DMV Office. Registering requires a driver’s license or official photo identification.
The final day to request an absentee ballot is May 4.
Representatives from the Tucker County Clerk’s Office will travel to Tucker County High School to register those eligible to vote, but that date has not been confirmed.
The Tucker County Democrat Committee is sponsoring a ‘Meet the Candidate’ forum at 6:30 p.m. April 22 at Tucker County High School. The Tucker County Republican Committee is sponsoring a Lincoln Day Dinner, but that date has not been confirmed.
A sample ballot will be published two times in The Parsons Advocate prior to the election in April. Those filing to run for office in Tucker County include:
Incumbent Sherry Simmons, Republican from Parsons, for Tucker County Clerk.
Ray LaMora III, Republican from Parsons, for Tucker County Prosecuting Attorney
The Tucker County Commission has one seat up for vote. Incumbent Lowell Moore, Republican from Parsons will face Hendricks resident Roxanne D. Tuesing, Democrat, for that position.
Brian K. Wilfong, a Democrat from Hambleton, is the current Tucker County Sheriff and is the only one filed to run for that position.
Incumbents Riley H. Barb of Davis has filed for Division 1 Tucker County Magistrate and Mont Miller of Parsons has filed for Division 2 Tucker County Magistrate.
Current Tucker County Assessor Paul “Butch” Burns did not file for re-election. Those running for this position include James “Chris” Michael, a Republican from Parsons and Greg Stevens, a Democrat from Parsons.
Tucker County Circuit Clerk Donna Jean Bava will be retiring in December. Three folks have filed to run for that position, including David Cooper, a Democrat from Parsons; Kim Ledden, a Democrat from Hambleton; and Sharon Moats, a Democrat from Parsons.
James B. Nester of Parsons has filed for Conservation District Supervisor.
Two seats are available on Tucker County Board of Education. Tim Turner of Parsons is running for his second term on the board. Bud Parsons is not seeking re-election. Chopper Evans, of Hambleton, is also running for a seat on the Tucker County Board of Education.
W.Va. House of Delegate District 53 covers parts of Tucker and Preston counties. Three will vie for that seat including Tony J. Lewis, Republican from Eglon, Al Tomson, a Democrat from Davis and D.R. Buck Jennings, a Republican from Thornton. The trio will vie for the seat, currently held by Delegate Randy Smith, R-Davis, who is running against incumbent Senator Bob Williams, D-Bridgeport, in District 14.
Incumbent Delegate Danny Wagner, R-Philippi, is running against Ken Auvil, Democrat from Belington for a seat in the W.Va. House of Delegates, District 47 which covers parts of Barbour and Tucker Counties.
Those filing to run for the U.S. House District 1 include David B. McKinley, incumbent, a Republican from Wheeling and Mike Manypenny, a Democrat from Grafton.
Michele W. Good and Lori Haynes, both of Elkins, have filed for Family Court Judge in Circuit 22.
Tucker County Clerk Sherry Simmons said in the last election, 51 percent of registered Tucker County voters came out to cast their vote.