Published: November 02, 2008 01:12 am      

Number of contested races mark 2008 ballot

Polls at county’s 76 precincts open at 6:30 a.m. Tuesday

FAIRMONT — Besides the presidential race, Marion County voters will find plenty of action “down ballot” on Tuesday with a number of contested statewide and courthouse races.

Add races for four seats on Fairmont City Council and turnout could hit record levels.

Polls at the county’s 76 precincts will open at 6:30 a.m. and close at 7:30 p.m.

In statewide races, contests for two seats on the state Supreme Court, and races for attorney general and agriculture commissioner have drawn the most interest.

Polls show Gov. Joe Manchin III of Farmington with a comfortable lead in his bid for a second term. Former state Sen. Russ Weeks of Beckley is the Republican nominee, while Jesse Johnson of Charleston is the Mountain Party candidate.

In courthouse races, voters will pick a new sheriff and a new family court judge. They also will decide a contested race for one seat on the county commission.

And finally, they will pick two of three candidates to serve as county conservation district supervisors.

Since 1937, elections for the non-partisan post were held at feed and farm supply stores. In 2005, lawmakers decided to add the office to this year’s primary and general election ballots.

Here’s a breakdown of the state, county and local ballot with candidates and their party affiliations:

U.S. Senator: Jay Rockefeller, Democrat, incumbent; Jay Wolfe, Republican.

U.S. House of Representatives: Alan B. Mollohan, Dem., inc., unopposed.

Governor: Joe Manchin III, Dem., inc.; Russ Weeks, Rep.; Jesse Johnson, Mountain Party.

Secretary of State: Natalie Tennant, Dem.; Charles Minimah, Rep.

Auditor: Glen B. Gainer III, Dem., inc., unopposed.

Treasurer: John D. Perdue, Dem., inc.; unopposed.

Agriculture Commissioner: Gus R. Douglass, Dem., inc.; J. Michael Teets, Rep.

Attorney General: Darrell McGraw, Dem., inc.; Dan Greear, Rep.

Supreme Court: Margaret L. Workman, Menis Ketchum, both Dem.; Beth Walker, Rep.

State Senator, 13th District: Roman W. Prezioso Jr., Dem., inc., unopposed.

41st House Delegate District (four seats): Ron Fragale, Dem., inc.; Samuel J. “Sam” Cann, Dem., inc.; Tim Miley, Dem., inc.; Richard J. Iaquinta, Dem., inc.; Danny Hamrick, Rep.

42nd House Delegate District (one seat): Mike Manypenny, Dem.; unopposed.

43rd House Delegate District (three seats): Mike Caputo, Dem., inc.; Tim Manchin, Dem., inc.; Linda Longstreth, Dem., inc.; Rick Starn, Rep.

Circuit Judge, 16th Judicial Circuit, Division I: Fred L. Fox II, Dem., inc.; unopposed.

Circuit Judge, 16th Judicial Circuit, Division I: David R. Janes, Dem., inc.; unopposed.

Family Court Judge: Amy Swisher, Dem.; Shirley J. Stanton, Rep.

County Commissioner: Burley “Butch” Tennant Jr., Dem.; Alan Parks, Rep., inc.

Prosecuting Attorney: Patrick “Pat” Wilson, Dem., inc.; unopposed.

Sheriff: Joe Carpenter, Dem.; W.L. “Fuzzy” Knight, Rep.

Assessor: Jim Priester, Dem., inc., unopposed.

Magistrate (four seats): M.L. “Peggy” Twyman, Dem., inc.; Hank Middlemas, Dem., inc.; Missy Pride Linger, Dem., inc.; Cathy Reed-Vanata, Dem., inc.; all unopposed.

Surveyor: Christopher Wolfe, Dem.; unopposed.

Conservation District Supervisor (two seats): Jean S. Conley, Fairmont; Don Headley, Fairview; Bryon Duncil, Worthington.

Fairmont City Council, 2nd District: Bob Sapp, inc.; Daniel Jones.

4th District: William “Bill” Burdick, inc.; Richard A. “Rick” Stutler; Ronald Chaney; Anthony “Tony” Stingo.

6th District: Dora Kay Grubb; Daniel K. Weber; Patrick F. Roche.

7th District: S. Scott Sears, inc.; Dennis Hermosilla; Robert Garcia.

E-mail Bill Byrd at bbyrd@timeswv.com.