By Sarah Richardson
The deadline for candidate filing in the 2026 election cycle closed on Jan. 31, and candidates have now filed for numerous political offices in Greenbrier County. Several highly contested races will appear on the local ballot this year.
The Greenbrier County Commission will see activity in both regular and unexpired terms. Incumbent Lowell C. Rose has filed as a Republican for a seat on the County Commission representing the Eastern district. In the race for an unexpired term on the County Commission for the Western district, two Republicans from Rainelle, Bill Bell and Matthew Arnold Ford, are competing for the seat.
On the judicial front, incumbent Shana L. Hamrick of Lewisburg has filed as a non-partisan candidate for the unexpired term of Magistrate in Division 1 and will be running unopposed.
The Greenbrier County Board of Education features four non-partisan candidates vying for seats. The field includes Nicole Ramsey of Alderson, Paula Sanford-Dunford of Rupert, Andrew P. Utterback of Alderson, and Jeanie Porterfield Wyatt of Lewisburg.
For the role of Conservation District Supervisor, Gary L. Truex of Ronceverte has filed to run as a non-partisan candidate and is unopposed.
A significant portion of the filings includes residents seeking to represent their respective parties on various executive committees. Debra E. Bowman (R) has filed for the Female Congressional District Executive Committee (District 1) and Ben Anderson (R) has filed for the Male Congressional District Executive Committee (District 1).
Debra Bowman has also filed for the Female Senatorial District Executive Committee (District 10). For the Male Senatorial District Executive Committee (District 10), the race includes Republicans James W. “Jim” Childers of Maxwelton and Thomas Perkins of Frankford.
For Delegate District Executive Committees:
District 46 (Male): The field includes Democrat Michael Miller and Republicans J.L. “Danny” Campbell and Thomas Perkins.
District 47: Debra E. Bowman (R) has filed for the female seat, while Ben Anderson and Denny Ray Canterbury have filed for the male seat.
For County Executive Committees:
Democratic Female Candidates: Patricia Alice Bisset, Diane Lynch Browning, Vickie Dove, Hannorah Louise Durm, and Cindy Lavender-Bowe.
Republican Female Candidates: Veronica A. Bishop, Debra Bowman, Morgan Cook, Maggie Epstein-Bostic, Ashley Ferrell, and Sharon McCallister.
Democratic Male Candidates: William Mattis Bisset, Paul Stewart Detch, Michael Miller, and Brad Tuckwiller.
Republican Male Candidates: Ben Anderson, Christopher Bishop, J.L. “Danny” Campbell, Denny Ray Canterbury, James W. “Jim” Childers, Steven L. Dunford, Thomas Perkins, and John Wade Wyatt.
Other positions on the ballot this year include U.S. Senate, U.S. House of Representatives, WV Supreme Court of Appeals (Unexpired Term), Judge of the Intermediate Court of Appeals, State Senate, House of Delegates, and State Executive Committee. Candidates for these positions include:
U.S. Senate: Thornton Cooper (D), Rachel Anderson (D), Jeffrey Kessler (D), Rio Phillips (D), Zachary Shrewsbury (D), Incumbent Shelley Moore Capito (R), Alexander Gaaserud (R), Bryan McKinney (R), Janet McNulty (R), David Purkey (R), and Tom Willis (R).
U.S. House of Representatives (District 1): Incumbent Carol Miller (R), Britta “Brit” Aguirre (D), Vince George (D), and Larry Jackson (R).
WV Supreme Court of Appeals (Division 1): Laura Faircloth, Todd Kirby, H.L. Kirkpatrick, Martin “Red Hat” Sheehan, and Gerald Titus.
WV Supreme Court of Appeals (Division 2): Tom Ewing and Bill Flanigan.
Judge of the Intermediate Court of Appeals: Jim Douglas and Dan Greear.
State Senate (District 10): Incumbent Vince Deeds (R), Kent Gilkerson (D), Jonathan Comer (R), and Robert Shirley Love (R).
House of Delegates (District 46): Incumbent Jeff Campbell (R), Sarah Umberger (D), and Mark Robinson (R).
House of Delegates (District 47): Incumbent Ray Canterbury (R), Sarah Morris (D), Mark Phipps Jr. (D), and Mary Catherine Tuckwiller (R).
State Executive Committee Female, Democrat (District 10): Carol Evans, Terri Rodebaugh, and Selina Vickers.
State Executive Committee Female, Republican (District 10): Debra Bowman, Sue McKinney, and Benjean Rapp.
State Executive Committee Male, Democrat (District 10): Gabe Pena
State Executive Committee Male, Republican (District 10): Devin Spinks, J.L. “Danny” Campbell, Austin Haynes, Dan Hill, Frank Tuckwiller, and Jack Woodrum.
The Primary Election will be held on May 12, 2026, and the General Election will be held on Nov. 3, 2026.