Voters have many choices to make in W.Va., Va.
Oct. 18—With early voting starting next week in West Virginia, area residents will be deciding local, state and federal races.
Early voting in the Mountain State begins on Wednesday, Oct. 23, and continues through Nov. 2. In neighboring Virginia, early voting is already underway and also continues through Nov. 2.
Voters in West Virginia will be deciding federal, state and local races.
In Mercer County, registered voters will be able to cast an early ballot at five different locations. They include the Mercer County Courthouse, the Sims Wellness Center on Stadium Drive in Bluefield, Four Season Answering Service at 3311 Coal Heritage Road in Bluewell and the Covenant Baptist Church at 145 Wyndale Drive near Princeton.
Some of the races on West Virginia's ballot includes: — The Senate District 6 contest in West Virginia where Republican Craig Hart is facing Democrat Jeff Dissibio. The incumbent lawmaker in that race, Republican Chandler Swope of Bluefield, lost his primary re-election bid in May to Hart. — Incumbent House Majority Whip Marty Gearheart, R-Mercer, is being challenged by Democrat Polla McClelllan Rumberg in House District 37 contest in Mercer County. — Incumbent Delegate Joe Ellington Jr., R-Mercer, is being challenged by Democrat Randa C. Faulkner in the House District 38 contest in Mercer County. — Incumbent Delegate Doug Smith, R-Mercer, is being challenged by Democrat Neal Vestal in the House 39 race. — In the race for U.S. Senate, Republican Jim Justice, the incumbent governor of West Virginia, is facing Democrat Glenn Elliot. The incumbent U.S. Senator, Democrat turned independent Joe Manchin, isn't seeking re-election. Libertarian Dave Moran also is a candidate in the race. — In the race for governor, Republican Patrick Morrisey, the current attorney general for West Virginia, is facing Democrat Steve Williams, who is the current mayor of Huntington. — U.S. Rep. Carol Miller, R-W.Va., is being challenged by Democrat Chris Bob Reed in the U.S. House Third Congressional District contest for West Virginia.
On the local level, some of the races to be decided Nov. 5 in Mercer County involve Republican candidates who are running unopposed for election. They include: — Republican Brian Blankenship is running unopposed for the district II seat on the Mercer County Commission. — Republican Brian Cochran is running unopposed for re-election to the Mercer County Prosecutor's post. — Republican Alan Christian is running unopposed in the race for sheriff of Mercer County. — Republican Tommy Bailey is running unopposed in the race for assessor.
In McDowell County, Republican Dewayne Dotson is running unopposed for a seat on the McDowell County Commission.
Also in McDowell County, Democrat Brittany Puckett is running unopposed for re-election as prosecuting attorney and Democrat James Muncy is running unopposed for re-election as sheriff.
In Monroe County, Republican Kenny W. Mann is running unopposed for a seat on the Monroe County Commission.
Also in Monroe County, Democrat Justin R. St. Clair is running unopposed for prosecuting attorney and Republican Michael Heller is running unopposed for sheriff.
In neighboring Virginia, voters also are deciding a U.S. House race, a U.S. Senate race, a constitutional amendment and local town council and mayoral races.
The Southwest Virginia races include: — In the U.S. Senate race, Republican Hung Cao is challenging incumbent Democrat Tim Kaine. — In the U.S. House 9th Congressional District contest, Democrat Karen Baker is challenging incumbent U.S. Rep. Morgan Griffith, R-Va. — A proposed constitutional amendment asks voters, "Should the Constitution of Virginia be amended so that the tax exemption that is currently available to the surviving spouses of soldiers killed in action is also available to the surviving spouses of soldiers who died in the line of duty?"
Candidates for mayoral positions and town council seats also are on the Nov. 5 ballot. They include: — In Bluefield, Va., Donald Scott Linkous is running unopposed for re-election as mayor. — There are five candidates vying for three town council seats in Bluefield, Va. They include Billie Jo "B.J." Roberts, Chad A. Lambert, James W. Knowles Jr., Meagan Vance Kade and Wayne L. Blevins. — Two candidates also are vying for a special council election in Bluefield, Va. that was created by the resignation of former council member Lee Riffe. The candidates vying for the special council seat are Karen L. Rich and P. Mike McClanahan. — In Cedar Bluff, two candidates are vying for mayor. They are Kenneth A. McVey and Kenneth M. Shepard. — In Pocahontas, Benjamin A. Gibson is running unopposed for re-election as mayor. — In the town of Richlands, two candidates are vying for mayor. They are Jacob C. Van Dyke and Rod D. Cury. — Two candidates also are vying for mayor in the town of Tazewell. They are Bill A. Weeks and Michael F. Hoops. — Four candidates are vying for the Tazewell Town Council. They are Danny C. Willis, David H. Fox, F. Gabrielle de Courcy and Joe R. Beasley. — Four candidates are vying for the Richlands Town Council. They are Gary W. Jackson, Jordan Christopher Bales, Morgan L. Earp and Seth R. White. — Six candidates are seeking a seat on the Pocahontas Town Council. They include A. Brad Belcher, J. Suzanne Brinegar, Karen M. LaFon, Michael H. Gibson , Nadja Ann Brodesser and Ted Michael Sluss.
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