May 15, 2026 - Below is a message from Chris Hamilton, President, West Virginia Coal Association:

Following weeks of extreme negative campaigning and unprecedented involvement from Governor Morrisey and US Senator Shelley Moore Capito, the West Virginia’s Primary Election came to an end on Tuesday this week, leaving the state Republic Party and business community substantially divided. 

Most of the hard campaigning and electioneering occurred in state senate races as Senator Tom Takubo, a Charleston physician, spearheaded an attempt to replace a number of incumbent Senators to change the makeup of the Senate. In 2024, Takubo waged an unsuccessful campaign for Senate President and his efforts this spring, a continuation of his personal vendetta against reigning Senate President and former coal miner Randy Smith.

At the end of the day, the majority of incumbent Senators prevailed in their respective races, and the Senate President Smith faction was strengthened overall.  It’s also noteworthy that the WV Chamber of Commerce, WV Gas Association and WV Hospital Association were involved with and big contributors to Senator Takubo and his efforts.  

On the House side, Tuesday’s election saw the defeat of eight seasoned House of Delegate members with four of the eight serving as part of House leadership.  Bill Anderson, the longest serving delegate, and current chairman of the House Energy Committee was defeated along with Mark Zatezalo, vice chair of House Energy, Vern Criss, chair of House Finance, and Daniel Linville, chair of House Infrastructure and Technology Subcommittee. The four additional experienced House members who lost their primary races were Scot Heckert (Wood County), Laura Kimble (Harrison County), Jordan Bridges (Logan County), and Clay Marshall (Fayette County). A total of 27 new House Members were elected.

US Senator Shelley Moore Capito handedly won her party’s nomination as did West Virginia’s two Congressional members Riley Moore and Carol Miller. Both incumbent WV Supreme Court Justices (Thomas Ewing and Gerald Titus) lost their respective division races. Raleigh County Circuit Judge, H.L. Kirkpatrick won over Justice Titus in Division 1, and Bill Flanighan, a current member of the House of Delegates, defeated Justice Ewing in Division 2.

On behalf of Jason and myself, we want to thank everyone for your generous financial support for our political action Committees and for all your important input during this election cycle.  Please give one of us a call at304-342-4153 if you have any questions.