West Virginia U.S. House delegation shrinking from three to two sets up primary between two representatives


The filing deadline for candidates running for state or federal office in West Virginia was Jan. 29, 2022. Thirteen candidates—three Democrats and 10 Republicans—are running for the state’s two U.S. House districts. That’s 6.5 candidates per district, more than the 4.7 candidates per district in 2020 and 6.3 in 2018.

Here are some other highlights from this year’s filings:

  • This is the first election to take place under new district lines following the 2020 census, which resulted in West Virginia losing a U.S. House district.
  • The lost district has resulted in Reps. David McKinley (District 1) and Alexander Mooney (District 2) competing in the District 2 Republican primary.
  • Representative Carol Miller (R), who currently represents District 3, is running in District 1.
  • Since 2012, there have only been two election cycles with an open seat. There was one open seat in both 2018 and 2014.
  • Both Republican primaries are contested with five candidates each.
  • Neither seat is guaranteed to one party, with Democratic and Republican candidates running for both.
  • Seven candidates (two Democrats, five Republicans) are running in District 2, while six (one Democrat, five Republicans) are running in District 1

West Virginia’s U.S. House primaries will take place on May 10, 2022. The candidate with the most votes wins the primary, even without a majority, so no runoff elections will take place.