Filing for offices of County Commission, Circuit Clerk, County Clerk, Board of Education, and Conservation District Supervisor commenced on Monday, January 10th at the Putnam County Courthouse and will continue until Saturday, January 29th. In the Tuesday May 10 Primary Election, registered voters will select the Republican and Democratic candidates which will run for office in the November General Election. Voters will also elect three members to the non-partisan Board of Education and a non-partisan Conservation District Supervisor to four-year terms.

First day filers for County Commission were Ronald Foster of Winfield and Todd Dillon of Scott Depot, both Republicans. The only other day-one political office filer was Michael Thompson (R) of Poca who is running for Circuit Clerk. A candidate’s official announcement requires the payment of a filing fee, $413 for County Commission and $620 for Circuit Clerk and County Clerk.

Joseph Reynolds of Hometown, Stephanie Smith of Winfield, and Donald Underwood of Hurricane have all filed pre-candidacy papers and are expected to announce their candidacies for Circuit Clerk as Republicans. Current Circuit Clerk J.J. Mullins is not seeking re-election.

At least one additional candidate is expected to file for County Commission as a Republican. Former Sheriff Steve Deweese, a Buffalo (Cross Creek Road) resident, filed precandidacy papers on November 16. All candidates for County Commission must reside in Magisterial District 1. The statewide redistricting for the House of Delegates made it necessary to redraw magisterial lines. The new lines place both the Buffalo and Winfield areas in District 1.

Incumbent Brian Wood (R) will be seeking re-election as County Clerk.

The new magisterial district lines have placed three current Board of Education members (Wade Neal, Calvin Damron and Bruce Knell) in District 2. No more than two members can represent the same district. Knell of Poca has two years remaining on his term. The terms of Neal and Damron expire on June 30th. Neal filed for re-election on Monday. There is no member representing the new Magisterial District 3. State law requires that each magisterial be represented. District 3 is comprised of the City of Hurricane and areas north and south of Hurricane.

Putnam residents will also be voting for Republican and Democratic candidates for the General Election for the State Senate and the House of Delegates. The new House of Delegate Districts are 18, 19, 20 and 21. District 18 is made up of one Putnam precinct and many Mason County precincts. Districts 19, 20 and 21 consist in their entirety of Putnam precincts.

The only first day filings with the Secretary of State for the House were Johnnie Wamsley (R) of Pt. Pleasant in the 18th District, Kathie Hess Crouse (R) of Buffalo in District 19, and Jarred Cannon (R) of Hurricane in the 21st District.

There were no first day filings for candidacy in either the 4th or 8th State Senate Districts.