CHARLESTON, W.Va. — Republican J.B. McCuskey has won election as West Virginia’s new auditor.
He’ll be the first auditor without the last name “Gainer” since 1977.
Former auditor Glen Gainer III, a Democrat, had held the post since 1993. He declined to seek re-election and resigned to seek a job in the private sector. Lisa Hopkins, general counsel of the auditor’s office and deputy commissioner of securities, has been serving as interim auditor.
Before that, Gainer’s father, Glen Gainer Jr., had held the office since 1977.
McCuskey, a lawyer and state delegate, was unopposed for the Republican nomination. McCuskey comes from hiw own political family. His father, John, was appointed to fill a vacancy on the state Supreme Court during the Underwood administration.
Mary Ann Claytor, a freelance financial and compliance auditor, won the Democratic primary over what many considered an upset over former state official Jason Pizatella. Claytor aimed to be West Virginia’s first statewide African-American officeholder.
Brenton Ricketts, a small business owner, was the libertarian candidate for the auditor’s position.
The auditor is West Virginia’s official bookkeeper, responsible for ensuring that state funds are withdrawn and deposited legally. Auditor pays $95,000 a year in West Virginia.