PARKERSBURG — The Democratic Party in Wood County expects candidates in all state legislative races, some districts possibly with primary contests, the party chairman said.

“We want to get as many Democrats on the ballot as possible,” Chairman Jeff Fox said.

The party is optimistic for the 2026 elections because of the Republican losses in several elections across the country this year, he said.

“Everyone is tired of the high-pressure partisanship” and voters want choices in choosing candidates, Fox said.

“There’s definitely a growing trend to basically get involved and at the same time that gives the voters more choices,” Fox said. “That’s always a good thing.”

All the House of Delegate races in Wood County – the 10th, 11th, 12th, 13th and 14th Districts – and Senate District 3 will be on the ballot this year. The party also spoke to several residents about running for the state Senate, but that is more challenging because it is a multicounty district that includes Wood, Pleasants, Ritchie and Wirt counties, Fox said.

The party will hold a training session for prospective Democratic Party candidates only from 8-11 a.m. Saturday at the Vienna Community Building, 1301 34th St. across from Jackson Middle School. The session is free and will include light refreshments and breakfast snacks.

Among presenters will be Fox as chairman and a former candidate for office, Sue Ellen Waybright on campaign finance, Meryl Clark on use of social media and media platforms and Josh Lemley, who has worked on several candidates, will discuss candidate outreach to the voters.

Training will cover aspects of running for local offices, such as filing candidacy papers, campaign finance and reporting, campaign marketing and reaching the public, he said.

“I’m expecting all those districts will have a Democratic Party candidate in the primary and some may have more than one for the primary,” Fox said.

The filing period to run in the primary election in West Virginia began on Monday. It ends at midnight Jan. 31.

Candidates who actively campaign during the primary go into the general election with several advantages, Fox said. Not the least is developing name recognition among the voters who may not know who the candidate is, a tremendous advantage for an incumbent that is difficult to overcome by someone new to politics, he said.

“My main concern is getting Democratic candidates onto the ballots in preparation for the general election,” he said.

For more information email contact@wcwvdems.com or call 304-236-1100.

Local offices to be decided in 2026 include the state House and Senate, county commission, school board and conservation district supervisor and municipal offices. Statewide for federal offices, both House of Representatives districts and a Senate seat will be on the ballot this year.

The Secretary of State in Charleston also has 2026 election guides available.

The Easy Rider bus levy will be on the May ballot in Parkersburg and Vienna.