The primary election at a glance

Following are summaries of the federal, state and local offices at stake in the West Virginia Primary Election on Tuesday, May 13. For details on the candidates and their views on the issues, go to herald-dispatch.com, click on the News tab and then click on the Election 2008 tab.

U.S. Senate

Longtime U.S. Sen. Jay Rockefeller faces challengers Billy Hendricks Jr. of Whitesville and Sheirl L. Fletcher of Dellslow in the Democratic primary, while one Republican, Jay Wolfe, is up for his party's nomination.

U.S. House 1

Incumbent Democrat Alan B. Mollohan of Fairmont faces no competition in the primary election.

The district covers much of northern West Virginia, including the counties of Barbour, Brooke, Doddridge, Gilmer, Grant, Hancock, Harrison, Marion, Marshall, Mineral, Monongalia, Ohio, Pleasants, Preston, Ritchie, Taylor, Tucker, Tyler, Wetzel and Wood.

U.S. House 2

Incumbent Republican Shelley Moore Capito faces no challenger in the primary, but three Democrats are vying for the chance to run against her in the fall. The Democratic candidates include Thornton Cooper of South Charleston, Richard A. Robb of South Charleston and Anne Barth of Charleston.

The district covers much of central part of the state, including the counties of Berkeley, Braxton, Calhoun, Clay, Hampshire, Hardy, Jackson, Jefferson, Kanawha, Lewis, Mason, Morgan, Pendleton, Putnam, Randolph, Roane, Upshur and Wirt.

U.S. House 3

Incumbent Democrat Nick J. Rahall faces no challenger in the primary, but one Republican, Marty Gearheart of Bluefield, will run against him in November's general election.

The district covers much of the southern part of the state, including the counties of Boone, Cabell, Fayette, Greenbrier, Lincoln, Logan, McDowell, Mercer, Mingo, Monroe, Nicholas, Pocahontas, Raleigh, Summers, Wayne, Webster and Wyoming.

Governor

Incumbent Gov. Joe Manchin faces Mel Kessler of Beckley in the Democratic primary. The winner will face Republican Russ Weeks of Beckley in the November general election.

Secretary of state

Secretary of State Betty Ireland has chosen not to run for another term, so the race is wide open. Candidates include Democrats Natalie Tenant of Charleston, Joe DeLong of Weirton and Billy Wayne Bailey Jr. of Pineville. The winner will face Republican Charles Minimah of Charleston in the general election.

Commissioner of agriculture

Incumbent Gus R. Douglass of Leon will face challenger Oscar Wayne Casto of Gay, W.Va., in the Democratic primary. Meanwhile, two Republicans -- Lawrence T. Beckerle of Craigsville and J. Michael Teets of Lost River -- are vying for the nomination from their party. The winners will face each other in the November general election.

Attorney general

Republicans Hiram Lewis of Charleston and Dan Greear of South Charleston face off for their party's nomination in the primary election. The winner will be matched against incumbent Darrell McGraw in the November general election.

Supreme Court

Two seats are open on the Supreme Court. Justice Larry Starcher is not seeking re-election, and Democrat Justice Elliott E. "Spike" Maynard of Charleston is up for re-election. The Republican candidate, Elizabeth Walker of Charleston, will face the two winners of the Democratic primary in the November general election. Those vying for the Democratic nomination are Maynard, Menis E. Ketchum of Huntington, Bob Bastress of Morgantown and Margaret Workman of Charleston.

Uncontested statewide races

The following candidates face no competition in their races in either the primary or general elections.

Auditor

Glen Gainer III, D

Treasurer

John D. Perdue, D

State Senate 4

Karen Facemyer, R

State House 20

K. Steven Kominar, D

State Senate 5

Democrat incumbent Robert H. "Bob" Plymale will face the winner of the Republican primary -- Stephen L. Hall or Mark R. Maynard.

The district includes all of Cabell County and a portion of northern Wayne County. The district also is represented by Sen. Evan Jenkins, who is not up for re-election this year.

State Senate 6

Democrat incumbent John Pat Fanning of Iaeger faces challenger Charles E. Sammons of Crum in the Democratic primary.

The district covers McDowell and Mingo counties and parts of Mercer, Wayne and Wyoming counties.

The district is also represented by Democrat H. Truman Chafin, who is not up for re-election this year.

State House 13

Incumbent Democrats Dale Martin of Poca and Brady R. Paxton of Poca are both seeking re-election in this two-seat district. They face Mickey Whalen of Point Pleasant in the primary. Republicans seeking their party's nomination include James McCormick II of New Haven, Brian C. Savilla of Nitro and Brian "Scotty" Scott of Liberty.

The district covers parts of Mason, Putnam and Jackson counties.

State House 14

Incumbent Republicans Troy Andes of Hurricane and Patti Eagloski Schoen of Scott Depot are both seeking re-election in this two-seat district. They face Democrats Jeff Martin of Winfield and Karen Coria of Hurricane in the general election.

The district covers parts of Mason and Putnam counties.

State House 15

All three seats are up for re-election, but none is contested in the primary election. Democrats Kevin Craig, Jim Morgan and Carl Eastham, all of Huntington, and Republicans Carol Miller of Huntington, Paula Stewart of Huntington and Jim Carden of Culloden are vying for the seats.

The district includes a portion of Cabell County and a portion of Lincoln County.

State House 16

All three House District 16 representatives -- Democrats Doug Reynolds and Dale Stephens and Republican Kelli Sobonya -- are up for re-election. Sobonya will face the three winners of the Democratic primary in November. Those up for the Democratic nomination include Reynolds, Stephens, Chris Tatum of Barboursville, Robert "Bobby" Nelson of Huntington and Amy Herrenkohl of Barboursville.

The district includes a portion of Cabell County and a portion of Wayne County.

State House 17

Incumbent Democrats Don C. Perdue and Richard Thompson are both running for re-election in this two-seat district. They will face Republican Lisa Peana in the general election.

State House 19

Incumbent Democrats Jeff Eldridge of Harts, Ted Ellis of Chapmanville, Lidella Hrutkay of Logan and Ralph Rodighiero of Logan are all seeking re-election in this four-seat district. They face Rupert W. Phillips Jr. of Lorado, Greg Butcher of Chapmanville, Bill Bryant of Harts, Harry Freeman of Chapmanville, Josh Stowers of Sod, Teddy "Ted" Tomblin of Logan, James "Jimmy" Porter of Amherstdale and Jeremy Farley of Chapmanville in the Democratic primary. No Republicans filed for the open seats.

The district covers Logan County and parts of Boone, Lincoln and Putnam.

Huntington mayor

Incumbent Mayor David Felinton faces Bob Bailey, Shawn Bresnahan and Lucille "Lucy" Wight in the Democratic primary. The winner of the primary will face Republican Kim Wolfe in the general election. Independents Tom McCallister and Robin Howell have filed to run, but must obtain enough signatures to get on the general election ballot.

Huntington City Council

District 1

Democrat incumbent Jim Ritter faces no opposition.

District 2

Incumbent Teresa Loudermilk will face Pete Gillespie, Clinton Bowen and Tom McCloud in the Democratic primary. The winner will then face Republican D. Everett Fullerton in the general election.

District 3

Incumbent Frances Jackson will face Charles Harless in the Democratic primary. No Republicans have filed for this seat.

District 4

Mary Neely is not seeking re-election. Republican Nate Randolph will face Democrat Brenda Adams in November's general election.

District 5

Democrat incumbent Sandra Clements is being challenged by Democrats John Vance, Osagie Ayanru and Jeremiah Jasper. No Republicans have filed for this position.

District 6

Cal Kent is not seeking re-election. Mark Bates and Deron Runyon are vying for the Republican nomination. That winner will face Democrat Ray Browning in the general election.

District 7

Democrat Scott Caserta is unopposed for the District 7 seat.

District 8

Democrat Russell Houck and Republican Levi Lovett are in the running for the District 8 seat.

District 9

Incumbent Jim Insco is being challenged for his seat by Richard "Rick" Simmons in the Democratic primary. No Repubican has filed for this position.

At-Large

Garry Black and Paul Farrell are not seeking re-election. Eight candidates are vying for their two seats. Candidates in the Democratic primary are P.D. Adkins, Rebecca Thacker, Scott Wallace, Joe Randolph, Steve Williams and Thomas McChesney. The two top Democratic vote-getters in the primary will face Republicans Alex Vence and Mike Davis in the general election.

Greater Huntington Parks and Recreation District

District 1

Frank Dorsey, D

Michael Lonewolf Cagle, D

District 4

Gene Randall Rhoades, R

District 5

WD (Bill) Kelley, D

Cabell County commissioner

Incumbent Republican Nancy Cartmill is the only commissioner up for re-election. Vying for their party's nomination are Democratic candidates Susan Hubbard and Damon Scott Holley.

The two other commissioners are Bob Bailey, who is running for Huntington mayor, and Scott Bias, who is running for Cabell County sheriff.

Cabell County sheriff

Current Cabell County Sheriff Kim Wolfe cannot seek another term and is running for Huntington mayor. There are six candidates for sheriff -- Democrats Carroll A. Adams, Thomas W. "Tom" McComas, Herman Beckett, Scott Bias and Greg Lawson and Republican Jim Scheidler. Scheidler will face the winner of the Democratic primary in November's general election.

Cabell magistrate

Seven seats are open in the Cabell County magistrate race.

Vying for the seven Democratic nominations are Amy Walker Daugherty, Ralph J. Hensley, Johnny McCallister, Michael J. Woelfel, John Ray Rice, Danne J. Vance, Betty J. Wolford, Donald E. "Don" Maynard, Lisa Pulley, Opal Sanders, Darrell Black, Gregory C. Miller, Patty Verbage-Spence, Timothy (Tim) Fox, Homer Heck, Dan Goheen, Alvie Qualls, Brandee McCoy and Laura Beckett-White.

Vying for the Republican nominations are Carlen (Len) Merritt, Rondall "Ron" Baumgardner and Teresa L. Beter.

Cabell Board of Education

The nonpartisan Cabell County School Board election will be decided May 13. The two winners will start their four-year terms July 1.

The process, though, is a bit complicated. The two seats are won by the highest overall vote getters, except in Districts 2 and 4. Both of those have more than one candidate and a board member not up for re-election.

That means that both Albert Clark and Larry Carrico can win in District 3, but only Suzanne McGinnis Oxley or Robert Jerry Brewster can win in District 2 and only Garland Parsons, Nancy Newfeld or Ted T. Barr can win District 4. George Watson, who has no opposition for District 5, can win by number of votes. Only two seats are open. Each district can have just two members on the board.

Bennie Thomas, District 2; Greg Borowski, District 4; and Bessie Holley, District 5, all retain their seats for another two years.

Uncontested Cabell races

The following candidates face no competition in their races in either the primary or general elections.

Cabell prosecuting attorney

Chris Chiles, D

Cabell assessor

Ottie Adkins, D

Cabell surveyor

Jeffrey Stephens, D

Putnam County commissioner

Incumbent Republican Commissioner Stephen "Steve" Andres faces Jerry A. Lilly in the Republican primary. The winner will face Bob Leslie, who is unopposed in the Democratic primary, in the November general election.

Putnam County sheriff

Incumbent Republican Mark Smith and Democratic Stan Farley are unopposed in their respective primaries and will face each other in the November general election.

Putnam County circuit clerk

Darlene Smith and James "Jim" Withrow will seek the Democratic nomination in the primary, with the winner facing Republican Ronnie Matthews in the general election.

Incumbent Donald A. Wright is not seeking re-election.

Putnam County assessor

Incumbent D.W. "Peachie" Arthur, a Democrat, and Republican challenger Sherry Troyer Hayes have no opposition in the primary and will face each other in the November general election.

Putnam Board of Education

Three people are seeking two positions in this non-partisan race. The candidates are Jack Coyner, Sam Sentelle and Steve Hoffman. The May 13 primary will determine the two winners, who will begin their four-year terms on July 1.

Putnam Conservation District Supervisor

Ellen Mills-Pauley and Michael Wolpert, an incumbent, are the only two people seeking these two seats. This is a non-partisan race.

Uncontested Putnam races

The following candidates face no competition in their races in either the primary or general elections.

Putnam magistrate

Incumbent Republicans Kim M. Blair, Kylene Dunlap Brown and Linda J. Hunt are seeking re-election without opposition.

Putnam prosecuting attorney

Mark Sorsaia, R

Putnam surveyor

Randy B. Crace, D

Wayne County commissioner

Incumbent James H. Booton will face Robert E. "Bob" Pasley in the Democratic primary. Commissioners Rick Wellman and Charles E. Sammons are not up for re-election.

Wayne sheriff

Current sheriff David Pennington is not seeking re-election. James Ramey III, Thomas McBride, Rex Allen Sowards, Gregory K. Farley and Hank Blume are vying for the Democratic nomination. That winner will face Republican Gordon Ramey II in November's general election.

Wayne assessor

Incumbent Eric Hodges will face Ric Browning in the Democratic primary.

Wayne Board of Education

There are two open seats in this nonpartisan race. Mike Skeens is not running for re-election. Incumbent Stephen Queen is facing JoAnn Hurley, Kenny Hann, Greg Lusher, Virgil Pack, Harland Maynard and Rod Wiles in the election.

Wayne magistrate

Three seats are open in this race. Magistrate Tommy Toler is not seeking re-election. Incumbents Teddy Mays and David Ferguson face Jeffery Maynard, Jason Stephens, Lindsey C. Maynard, Randall W. Wiles, Alfred Tucker Lynch, Thomas E. Jarrell and Brian Keith Barker in the Democratic primary.

Wayne Conservation District supervisor

John Bill Perry and Bill Stewart are seeking the two seats up for election in the primary.

Uncontested Wayne races

The following candidates face no competition in their races in either the primary or general elections.

Wayne prosecuting attorney

James H. Young Jr., D

Wayne surveyor

Matthew Strogen, D

Circuit Judge 5

Incumbent Democrat David W. Nibert is running for re-election to his Division 1 seat. Incumbent Republican Tom Evans is running for re-election to his Division 2 seat.

The district covers Calhoun, Jackson, Mason and Roane counties.

Circuit Judge 6

Incumbent Democrat Alfred E. Ferguson is running for re-election to his Division 1 seat and has no opposition. Incumbent Republican David M. Pancake is running for re-election to his Division 2 seat and has no opposition.

John L. Cummings, who served for 17 years, is not seeking re-election. Democrat Paul T. Farrell of Huntington is running against Democrat Jane Hustead for Cummings' Division 3 seat.

Incumbent Democrat Dan O'Hanlon is running for re-election to his Division 4 seat and has no opposition.

The district covers Cabell County.

Circuit Judge 24

Incumbent Democrat Darrell Pratt of Prichard faces Democrat Charles Walker Ferguson in the primary.

The district covers Wayne County.

Circuit Judge 29

Democrats David L. Hill and Phil Stowers will face off in the primary election. Incumbent Republican N. Edward Eagloski will face the winner of the Democratic nomination for his Division 1 seat in the November general election.

Incumbent Democrat O.C. "Hobby" Spaulding will face off with Democrat Rosalee Juba-Plumley in the primary election for his Division 2 seat.

The district covers Putnam County.

Family Court Judge 5

Incumbent Democrat Jeanie Nibert is seeking re-election to her Division 1 seat. She faces opposition from Republican Connie Fisher Thomas in the November general election.

Republican Rebecca Stafford Cornett and Democrat David R. Karr Jr. are vying for the newly created Division 2 seat in the November general election.

The district covers Mason, Wirt and Jackson counties.

Family Court Judge 6

Incumbent Democrat Ronald Anderson is seeking re-election to his Division 1 seat.

Incumbent Democrat Patricia Keller is seeking re-election to her Division 2 seat.

The district covers Cabell County.

Family Court Judge 7

Incumbent Democrat Stephen Lewis is seeking re-election to his Division 1 seat.

The district covers Wayne County.

Family Court Judge 10

Incumbent Democrat Cynthia J. Jarrell is seeking re-election to her Division 1 seat.

Democrats Scott E. Elswick, Betty C. Gregory and James W. Gabehart are vying for the newly created Division 2 seat in the primary Election.

The district covers Lincoln and Boone counties.

Family Court Judge 26

Incumbent Republican William M. (Chip) Watkins is seeking re-election to his Division 1 seat.

The district covers Putnam County.