(West Virginia Capitol News - Graphic Illustration generated with the use of ChatGPT)

PARKERSBURG — The Democratic Party in West Virginia on Monday reported what it calls an “historic surge” in Democratic candidate filings for the 2026 elections.

“The Democratic Party understands what’s at stake for the state and the nation to give people a real choice when they vote this November,” state party Chairman Mike Pushkin said in a statement.

The filing period for the May primary ended at midnight Saturday, however, the West Virginia Secretary of State’s office continues to process filings by mail postmarked before the deadline. So far, more than 20 Democrats filed for 17 Senate positions including for an unexpired term in the 17th District, more than 100 for the House of Delegates, and at least five for U.S. Senate and at least five for the House of Representatives Districts 1 and 2.

“Folks, if not anything else, really want a choice,” Jeff Fox, chairman of the Wood County Democratic Party, said.

The state Democratic Party has done well networking with county committees and some Democrats they know who have been candidates in the past, Fox said.

“I think there is an optimism that has filtered down (to the counties),” Fox said.

Voters have become increasingly frustrated with the “chaos and broken promises from Republican leadership” and reckless rhetoric, economic instability and threats to programs like Medicaid, Pushkin said.

“People want sane, steady leadership. They’re tired of the clown show,” Pushkin said. “They want stability, they want their rights protected and they want leaders focused on real issues that affect their families.”

Pushkin cited a focus on organizing, grassroots energy and an aggressive recruitment effort of modern technology with “old-fashioned peer-to-peer outreach” and thanked party Vice Chair Teresa Toriseva, 2nd Vice Chair Sam Petsonk, Secretary Jenny Craig, Treasurer John Doyle, Executive Director Ryan Frankenberry, House Minority Leader Sean Hornbuckle, Delegate Kayla Young, Sen. Joey Garcia, Democratic County Chairs Association Chair Cal Carlson, Young Democrats President Olivia Dowler and Federation of Democratic Women President Pam Van Horn, who worked with volunteers across the state.

“Each of these people, and many others, stood up to get the job done,” Pushkin said. “I could not be more proud.

“I couldn’t be more proud of the Democrats stepping up to run for state Senate,” Sen. Joey Garcia, D-Marion, said. “These candidates are focused on affordability and other kitchen table issues that matter most to working families.”

A record also was broken for the number of Democratic women on the ballot, Delegate Kayla Young, D-Kanawha, said.

“West Virginia has the lowest number of women elected in a state legislature, and the policies often reflect that,” she said.

Among the Democratic women running for the Legislature are Caci Petrehn of Parkersburg in the 3rd Senatorial District in Wood County and Marley Umensetter of Parkersburg in House District 13 in Wood County.

“It’s been incredibly frustrating to see the same politicians who have been out of touch with working families,” Petrehn said.

The Democratic nominee in the 3rd District could face one of two familiar politicians, the incumbent Sen. Mike Azinger and Delegate Bob Fehrenbacher, who is in the House of Delegates.

State and county party leadership “have done a wonderful job to encourage people to run,” Petrehn said, adding she has been encouraged by those who have been willing to help with her campaign.

“This is definitely my first rodeo,” Petrehn said.

Umensetter also is a first-time candidate.

“One of the factors (for becoming a candidate) was the lack of representation for both women and young people in our state Legislature,” she said.

Jess Mancini can be reached at jmancini@newsandsentinel.com