CLARKSBURG, W.Va. — The Harrison County Commission has denied the election contest of the House of Delegates District 71 Republican primary result.
The commission voted 3-0 Wednesday afternoon to reject the official contesting from Del. Laura Kimble.
Kimble, R-Harrison, challenged the results after losing to Republican challenger Tim McNeely 688 to 682 after the May 12 votes were canvassed and recounted.
Kimble claimed it was too easy for registered independents to get a ballot and vote in the closed GOP primary.
Harrison County Commissioner Patsy Trecost made the motion to deny the contest in Wednesday’s meeting and the other two commissioners voted with Trecost against Kimble.
Prior to the Wednesday decision, commissioners reviewed evidence and heard witness testimony from attorney Jeff Kimble, husband of Del. Kimble, and Mark Adkins from Bowles Rice LLP, representing McNeely.
“We thank the Harrison County Commission, its team and staff, as well as the Harrison County Clerk’s office for their work and time on the matter,” Adkins told MetroNews Wednesday. “We will see whether or not Mrs. Kimble takes this to the next step, and we’ll act accordingly.”
West Virginia Secretary of State Kris Warner stated on WAJR’s Talk of the Town ahead of the ruling on Wednesday that Kimble has the option to appeal the decision to the Harrison County Circuit Court if the election contest was denied.
“She could appeal one more time, this is a court hearing, as in any other court case, she would have the ability to appeal that if she so chose,” said Warner.
Jeff Kimble could not be reached for comment.