BYJ. MILES LAYTON The Dominion Post
Former Delegate Cindy Frich will try to return to Charleston.
And one Democratic candidate for County Commission does not live in the district he would represent if elected. Dennis Poluga will have to move if he wins the primary, according to the secretary of state's office.
Frich, a Republican who served two terms in the house and was defeated in the November general election in 2006, filed Friday to run for a seat in the 44th District, representing Monongalia County.
The filing period for state and local offices ended Saturday, though the Monongalia County Clerk's office will still be accepting candidate filings that are postmarked by Jan. 26 by the United States Postal Service, not a private postage meter.
Those who win their primary races May 13 will appear on the ballot for the general election on Nov. 4.
"There were 40 candidate filings for various local races, so yes, it was a good year," said Monongalia County Clerk Carye Blaney. "When you add that in with the state candidates who are running, it will be a lively primary election season."
Incumbent Delegate Alex Shook, D-Monongalia, filed for re-election in the 44th District on Friday. So far, one other Republican has filed to run for one of the four delegate seats representing Monongalia County: Harry V. Bertram. Bertram ran and was defeated in the May primary in 2006.
None of the three candidates could be reached for comment Saturday evening.
So far, seven candidates have filed for the four seats — five Democrats and two Republicans. Bertram and Frich will face off against the four Democrats who receive the most votes in the May primary. To date, the Democratic field consists of Steven Fumich and incumbent Delegates Barbara Evans Fleischauer, Charlene Marshall, Bob Beach and Shook.
In the commission race, Poluga, a Democrat who filed earlier to run for the Eastern District County Commission seat, does not live in the Eastern District, according to the paperwork he filed with the Monongalia County Clerk.
Poluga, of SouthPoint Circle, lives in the central district. He can remain in the Central District during the primary.
But, if Poluga wins the Democratic primary, the secretary of state's office said, he would have to reside in the Eastern District by election day on Nov. 4.
"I used to live out by Cheat Lake for about 10 years from 1978 to 1988," Poluga said, "so if I win the primary, I'll move back. It's no big deal."
Mark Musick, a Democrat, filed as a candidate for county assessor. Musick will face incumbent Rodney Pyles, also a Democrat, in the May primary. To date, no Republican has filed for assessor.
Eldon Callen, a Democrat, filed as a candidate for Circuit Court judge, Division 1. So far, Callen faces Democrats Jim Zimarowski and Susan Tucker in the May primary. J. Jeffrey Culpepper is the only Republican candidate for Circuit Court judge. Incumbent Circuit Judge Robert Stone has decided not to seek another term.
There are four county magistrate positions. Sandy Holepit, Democrat, filed as a candidate for Monongalia County magistrate. To date, Holepit faces Gary White and incumbents Darris Summers, Hershel Mullins, Jennifer Wilson, Jim Nabors — all Democrats.