Rob Cornelius of Parkersburg has filed as a precandidate for an undeclared office, but said he is leaning toward auditor if J.B. McCuskey runs for governor and not re-election to a third term as auditor. (Photo Provided)

PARKERSBURG — A former chairman of the Wood County Republican Executive Committee is contemplating running for auditor of the state of West Virginia.

Rob Cornelius of Parkersburg has filed as a precandidate for an undeclared office, but said he is leaning toward auditor if J.B. McCuskey runs for governor and not re-election to a third term as auditor.

Cornelius’ campaign committee is Make Rob C. Great Again.

Cornelius was chairman of the Republican Party in 2015 in Wood County and led the effort to remove then-Parkersburg Mayor Bob Newell from office. Newell retired the day before a three-judge panel was to convene to hear the petition against him.

The office of auditor has power to investigate corruption in state government, Cornelius said.

“In terms of cleaning up state government, that’s the place to be,” Cornelius said.

Precandidacy doesn’t bind the candidate to a particular office, but allows fundraising and other campaign activities. The filing period for office in West Virginia is in January.

McCuskey, a Republican, announced in February he would run for governor in 2024. The field of Republicans who have announced for governor also includes Attorney General Patrick Morrisey, Delegate Moore Capito of Kanawha County, Secretary of State Mac Warner, auto dealer Chris Miller, Rashida Yost of Martinsburg and Terri Bradshaw of Gandeeville.

McCuskey has plenty of time until the filing period in January to make a final decision, Cornelius said.

Should McCuskey decide to again run for auditor, Cornelius said he is fine with that and doesn’t plan to run for any other state office.

“I wouldn’t run against him,” Cornelius said.

Cornelius’ tenure as chairman of the county party was cut short when he was removed in 2019 by former state GOP Chairman Melody Potter. Potter accused Cornelius of fostering disunity and harassing her on social media. She resigned in 2021.

Cornelius, who was elected in 2018 to represent Wood County District 5A, sued the state party. Kanawha County Judge Joanna Tabit agreed with Cornelius that he should not have been removed. Cornelius lost the election for 5A in the 2022 primary election.

The state party appealed Tabit’s ruling, but the Supreme Court in April dismissed the appeal, upholding Tabit’s decision in Cornelius’ favor.

“This isn’t over yet,” Cornelius said.