West Virginia 2024 PRIMARY Voter Guide

Five justices are elected to West Virginia’s highest court for 12-year terms. Every year, the court convenes twice for several months to hear appeals of Intermediate Court decisions, as well as appeals from circuit court in criminal cases, juvenile proceedings, and child abuse and neglect matters. They can also be asked to help interpret state and national constitutions and laws, as they were recently asked to do in the Huntington/Cabell County case against opioid distributors. 

To be eligible for the court, candidates must be at least 30 years old, have lived in West Virginia for at least five years, be a member in good standing with the West Virginia State Bar, and have been admitted to practice law for at least 10 years prior to the election. The annual salary for justices is $149,600.

In the 2024 primary, two candidates will be on the ballot, but because both are vying for seats in different divisions, they are running unopposed.

Supreme Court of Appeals – Division 1

Supreme Court of Appeals – Division 2

West Virginia’s Intermediate Court of Appeals is new: it was created by the Legislature in 2021 and officially opened in 2022. These judges hear cases involving certain types of appeals, including those from circuit court civil cases, some family court decisions, state agencies and workers compensation cases.

The judges are elected to 10-year terms, and earn an annual salary of $142,500. To be eligible for the court, candidates must be at least 30 years old, have lived in West Virginia for at least five years, be a member in good standing with the West Virginia State Bar, and have been admitted to practice law for at least 10 years prior to the election. 

The first three judges to serve on the court were appointed by Gov. Jim Justice in December 2021; of the three, Judge Thomas E. Scarr’s term expires at the end of this year and he is not running for reelection. Three candidates are vying to fill that vacant seat.

To run for U.S. president a candidate must be at least 35 years old, have lived in the country for at least 14 years and be a natural born U.S. citizen. The president serves a four-year term, and is paid a salary of $400,000 a year.

Democratic voters in West Virginia will see the following five candidates on primary ballots, but as of March 12, incumbent Joe Biden officially secured enough delegates to win the Democratic nomination. 

West Virginia, like every state in the country, is represented by two U.S. senators. One is Republican Shelley Moore Capito, who isn’t up for reelection until 2026. But with the retirement of Democratic Sen. Joe Manchin, voters will choose a new senator for that six-year term this year. 

To be eligible to run for the U.S. Senate, a candidate has to be at least 30 years old, have been a U.S. citizen for at least nine years and live in the state they seek to represent at the time of election. The annual salary for senators who don’t serve in the body’s leadership is $174,000 a year.

There are three Democrats competing for the party’s slot on the November ballot. They include Wheeling Mayor Glenn Elliott and Zachary Shrewsbury. Former Massey Coal CEO Don Blankenship who spent a year in prison after being convicted of a mine safety crime is also running; he has unsuccessfully sought other statewide offices as a Republican.

A state’s representation in the U.S. House of Representatives is based on its population; after the U.S. Census in 2020, West Virginia lost a seat and currently has two representatives.

To be eligible, candidates have to be at least 25 years old, a U.S. citizen for at least seven years and a resident of the state (though not necessarily the district) they seek to represent. The salary for non-leadership members of the U.S. House is $174,000 a year. House members are up for election every two years, so both of West Virginia’s House seats are on the ballot. Not sure which district you’re in? Here’s a map.

U.S. House of Representatives–District 1

Current 1st district Congresswoman Carol Miller is running for reelection as a Republican; two Democrats are vying for a spot on the November ballot. They are Vietnam veteran and mental health administrator Jim Umberger and Charleston resident Chris Reed. 

U.S. House of Representatives–District 2

There is currently no incumbent running for this seat, because current 2nd District Congressman Alex Mooney is running to represent West Virginia in the U.S. Senate. Because there is only one Democratic candidate for the seat, Steven Wendelin is the presumptive Democratic nominee.

West Virginia’s governor is the head of the state’s executive branch and as such, is responsible for carrying out the state’s laws and running many of the essential functions of state government. To be eligible, a candidate has to be at least 30 years old, a U.S. citizen, and have lived in West Virginia for at least five years. They also can’t have ever fought a duel with deadly weapons, per West Virginia Code. Starting in 2025, the salary for the position will be about $186,000 a year.

There is only one Democratic candidate for governor, so Huntington Mayor Steve Williams is the presumptive nominee.

West Virginia’s secretary of state has a big job: they are the state’s chief election officer, responsible for registering all businesses and charities, and oversee all administrative laws, among other duties. But to be eligible, a candidate only has to be at least 18 years old and a West Virginia citizen. The position pays $135,344 a year.

There is only one Democrat running for secretary of state, so Thornton Cooper will be the presumptive Democratic nominee.

The state auditor is West Virginia’s official bookkeeper, and is responsible for conducting audits of county governments, municipalities, boards and commissions. To be eligible, candidates have to be at least 18 years old and a citizen of West Virginia. The position pays about $135,000 a year.

There is only one Democrat seeking the nomination. As such, Mary Ann Claytor is the presumptive nominee, and will be on the ballot in November.

The state treasurer is West Virginia’s chief financial officer. To be eligible, candidates have to be at least 18 years old and a citizen of West Virginia. The position pays $135,344 a year.

There is no Democrat running for this position, so Democratic voters won’t see it on their ballots. Republican Larry Pack is the state’s presumptive next treasurer.

West Virginia’s agriculture commissioner is responsible for promoting, regulating and coordinating the state’s agricultural products. To be eligible, candidates have to be at least 18 years old and a citizen of West Virginia. The position pays $135,344 a year.

Only one Democrat is running: Deborah Stiles will be the presumptive Democratic nominee.

West Virginia’s attorney general is the state’s top lawyer. To be eligible, candidates have to be at least 18 years old and a citizen of West Virginia. The position pays $135,344 a year.

Two Democrats are running in the race: South Charleston lawyer Richie Robb and Wheeling attorney Teresa Toriseva.

To run for U.S. president a candidate must be at least 35 years old, have lived in the country for at least 14 years and be a natural born U.S. citizen. The president serves a four-year term, and is paid a salary of $400,000 a year.

Republican voters in West Virginia will see the following five candidates on primary ballots, but as of March 12, Donald Trump has secured enough delegates to win the Republican nomination. 

West Virginia, like every state in the country, is represented by two U.S. senators. One is Republican Shelley Moore Capito, who isn’t up for reelection until 2026. But with the retirement of Democratic Sen. Joe Manchin, voters will choose a new senator for that six-year term this year.

To be eligible to run for the U.S. Senate, a candidate has to be at least 30 years old, have been a U.S. citizen for at least nine years and live in the state they seek to represent at the time of election. The annual salary for senators who don’t serve in the body’s leadership is $174,000 a year.

There are seven Republicans competing for the party’s slot on the November ballot. They include current West Virginia Gov. Jim Justice, and current U.S. Representative Alexander Mooney, as well as five other candidates who have never before held elected office. 

A state’s representation in the U.S. House of Representatives is based on its population; after the U.S. Census in 2020, West Virginia lost a seat and currently has two representatives.

To be eligible, candidates have to be at least 25 years old, a U.S. citizen for at least seven years and a resident of the state (though not necessarily the district) they seek to represent. The salary for non-leadership members of the U.S. House is $174,000 a year. House members are up for election every two years, so both of West Virginia’s House seats are on the ballot. Not sure which district you’re in? Here’s a map.

U.S. House of Representatives–District 1

Current Congresswoman Carol Miller is running for reelection. She’s being challenged by former state lawmaker Derrick Evans, who is running in part on his record of being part of the breach of the U.S. Capitol on January 6, 2021. Evans pleaded guilty to a felony for his role in the attack, and served three months in prison. 

U.S. House of Representatives–District 1

There is currently no incumbent running for this seat, because current 2nd District Congressman Alex Mooney is running to represent West Virginia in the U.S. Senate. Five Republicans are competing for the party’s nomination on the November general election ballot. They include three candidates with military experience (Nate Cain, Joseph Earley and Chris Walker), one who works in third-party logistics (Alexander Gaaserud) and current West Virginia State Treasurer Riley Moore. 

West Virginia’s governor is the head of the state’s executive branch and as such, is responsible for carrying out the state’s laws and running many of the essential functions of state government. To be eligible, a candidate has to be at least 30 years old, a U.S. citizen, and have lived in West Virginia for at least five years. They also can’t have ever fought a duel with deadly weapons, per West Virginia Code. Starting in 2025, the salary for the position will be $186,854 a year.

The crowded Republican field on the May primary ballot includes several familiar names in West Virginia politics. There are two current state constitutional officers: Attorney General Patrick Morrisey and Secretary of State Mac Warner. There are two children of current members of Congress: former state delegate Moore Capito (son of Sen. Shelley Moore Capito) and businessman Chris Miller (son of Rep. Carol Miller). Also running are political newcomers: electrical engineer Kevin Christian, and Mitch Roberts, who says on social media he’s a Parkersburg High School graduate who currently works as a digital creator. 

READ MORE: While West Virginia’s GOP gubernatorial candidates try to sound the same, there are some differences 

West Virginia’s secretary of state has a big job: they are the state’s chief election officer, responsible for registering all businesses and charities, and oversee all administrative laws, among other duties. But to be eligible, a candidate only has to be at least 18 years old and a West Virginia citizen. The position pays $135,344 a year.

There are four Republican candidates on the ballot this year. They include two former state delegates — Ken Reed and Doug Skaff Jr. — and current Putnam County Clerk Brian Wood. Also running is former economic development official and WV GOP chairman Kris Warner, the brother of current Secretary of State Mac Warner.

The state auditor is West Virginia’s official bookkeeper, and is responsible for conducting audits of county governments, municipalities, boards and commissions. To be eligible, candidates have to be at least 18 years old and a citizen of West Virginia. The position pays $135,344 a year.

There are four candidates vying for the Republican nomination. Three of them recently served in the Legislature: Caleb Hanna, Eric Householder and Mark Hunt. Jefferson County Commissioner Tricia Jackson is also running; she is one of the two Jefferson County commissioners facing a number of misdemeanor charges related to neglecting duties and boycotting meetings. 

The state treasurer is West Virginia’s chief financial officer. To be eligible, candidates have to be at least 18 years old and a citizen of West Virginia. The position pays $135,344 a year.

There is only one candidate running from either party, so Republican Larry Pack will likely be West Virginia’s next treasurer.

West Virginia’s agriculture commissioner is responsible for promoting, regulating and coordinating the state’s agricultural products. To be eligible, candidates have to be at least 18 years old and a citizen of West Virginia. The position pays $135,344 a year.

Three candidates are competing for the Republican nomination. They include incumbent Agriculture Commissioner Kent Leonhardt, who has served in the role since 2017. He’s being challenged by former state delegate Joshua Higginbotham and retired Army officer and farmer Roy Ramey.

West Virginia’s attorney general is the state’s top lawyer. To be eligible, candidates have to be at least 18 years old and a citizen of West Virginia. The position pays $135,344 a year.

Two Republicans are running in the race: current Auditor JB McCusky and current state senator Mike Stuart.

To run for U.S. president a candidate must be at least 35 years old, have lived in the country for at least 14 years and be a natural born U.S. citizen. The president serves a four-year term, and is paid a salary of $400,000 a year.

In West Virginia, Jill Stein is the Mountain Party candidate.

West Virginia’s governor is the head of the state’s executive branch and as such, is responsible for carrying out the state’s laws and running many of the essential functions of state government. To be eligible, a candidate has to be at least 30 years old, a U.S. citizen, and have lived in West Virginia for at least five years. They also can’t have ever fought a duel with deadly weapons, per West Virginia Code. Starting in 2025, the salary for the position will be about $186,000 a year.

Chase Linko-Looper will be the Mountain Party candidate on the ballot.