The period to file for public office closed last Friday. The primary election is on May 8. Tucker County is split into two districts in the House of Delegates, Districts 47 and 53.
After serving two terms in the West Virginia House of Delegates, District 47 representative Republican Danny Wagner is not seeking reelection.
Barbour County and the western portion of Tucker County, including Parsons, comprise District 47.
The candidates seeking to fill Wagner’s seat are Democrat Ed Larry, Democrat Clayton Moore, and Republican Chris Phillips.
Larry served on the Philippi City Council for eight years, and this is his first time running for a state position. Prior to city council, his education career included a position as the high school principal.
“I have some positions I would like to push, especially for this area, mainly infrastructure,” Larry said. While he was on the city council, Philippi received a new water treatment plant. “We still have people out there that don’t have the conveniences of city water or filtration plants,” Larry said. “The highway bill is great, but a lot of counties are off the beaten path, and they need that infrastructure.”
Economic development, broadband, and improving the lumbering process in West Virginia are also Larry’s priorities.
Clayton Moore registered as a Democrat to run for the vacant seat in District 47. This is not the first time Moore ran for the House of Delegates. In 2014, he ran as a Republican. “When I seen what was happening with union workers, and prevailing wages, that’s what prompted me to switch parties,” Moore said.
“I just want a better Barbour and Tucker County,” he said. As a history major from Fairmont State, Moore believes in preserving historical lands. Citizens that live in flood zones and who are still dealing with insurance companies are on his agenda.
Moore believes citizens should be able to vote on taxes that fund fire departments and emergency services. Moore supports the EMS fee in Tucker County, until there is a better funding source secured from the state. “There’s a big problem with the fire service and the EMS service in this state,” Moore said.
Chris Phillips registered as a Republican to run for the District 47 seat.
Democrat D.R. “Buck” Jennings is the incumbent as the District 53 Delegate. There are no candidates challenging his reelection.
