CHARLESTON, W.Va — Ten incumbent Republican lawmakers lost to fellow Republicans in Tuesday’s primary election in West Virginia.
Three of those loses came in the Senate, the biggest upset was in a race involving Senate President Mitch Carmichael, R-Jackson, who was defeated by Amy Nichole Grady in the 4th Senatorial District. Grady defeated Carmichael by 676 votes.
Wyoming County Senator Sue Cline lost to Wyoming County Circuit Clerk David Bugs Stover by 2,275 votes. 11th Senatorial District Senator J.R. Pitsenbarger, appointed before the last legislative session, was defeated by former Senator Robert Karnes. A race involving Senate Finance Committee Chairman Craig Blair, R-Berkeley, was too close to call late Tuesday night.
In the House, seven incumbent Republicans fell to opposing GOP candidates including former House Majority Leader Daryl Cowles, R-Morgan, who lost to George Miller by 125 votes in the 58th Delegate District.
Other House incumbents who failed to earn their party’s nomination included Del. Chuck Little, 9th District; Del. Rick Atkinson, 11th District; 13th District Delegate Scott Cadle; Del. Eric Porterfield, 27th District; Del. Kevan Bartlett, 39th District; and Del. Larry Kump, 59th District.
There were seven Republican senators who did gain renomination in unofficial numbers Tuesday and 52 House Republican delegates who advanced to November. None of the 13 Democratic incumbents seeking reelection in the House and Senate were defeated Tuesday.