There’s been more shifting of the puzzle pieces in the 2016 West Virginia state Senate races.
Senator Bill Laird (D-Fayette) has decided not to run for re-election to a third four-year term representing the state’s 10th District (Fayette, Greenbrier, Monroe, Summers). Laird, 63, who has held various offices and state government positions over the years, told me he thought it was just time to step aside.
Current House of Delegates member Dave Perry (D-Fayette) is getting in the race. Perry told me he will make his formal announcement early next week. Perry was first elected to the House in 2000. “Experience is needed in Charleston and I have 16 years experience to offer,” Perry said.
Last month, Fayette County attorney Tom Ewing announced he’s running for the Republican nomination for the 10th District seat.
The 2nd District Senate seat race remains wide open. The seat is opening because Senator Jeff Kessler is running for the Democratic nomination for Governor and not for re-election to the Senate of the sprawling district (Calhoun, Doddridge, Gilmer, Marion, Marshall, Monongalia, Ritchie, Tyler, Wetzel).
Kessler’s brother, Chris, continues to seriously consider running, but has not yet made a final decision. If Chris Kessler does get in the race he would have to give up his position as Marshall County Assessor. It’s a coin flip for Kessler at this point.
So far on the GOP side, Sistersville resident Ginger Nalley has filed pre-candidacy papers to run in WV-2. There’s word that two Marshall County Republicans are also thinking about getting in the race.
In the 14th District (Barbour, Grant, Hardy, Mineral, Monongalia, Preston, Taylor and Tucker), Republicans gave up on trying to pressure Senator Bob Williams (D-Taylor) to switch parties and Williams is expected to run for a third term.
Unlike 2012, Williams will have opposition. Delegate Randy Smith (R-Preston) is challenging Williams, but he’s had to relocate to Tucker County to qualify. Senator Dave Sypolt (R-Preston) lives in Preston County and you cannot have two Senators from the same county.
Republican Delegate Ryan Weld (R-Brooke) has formally announced his plans to run for the state Senate District 1 seat (Brooke, Hancock, Marshall, Ohio). That seat is currently held by Senator Jack Yost (D-Brooke), who is seeking a third term.
Eighteen of 34 Senate seats are up in 2016. Normally, half are open every two years, but one more was added when Bob Ashley (R-Roane) was appointed to fill a vacancy left by the resignation of David Nohe two months ago to take a seat on the state Parole Board. Ashley will have to run in 2016 for the two years left on the term.
There is still plenty of time for these and other races to take shape for 2016. The filing period doesn’t officially open until January 11. It ends Jan. 30, 2016. Republicans hold a narrow 18-16 advantage in the Senate.