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Criss, Heckert lose in GOP primaries; Anderson trails by 5 votes

Tom Blondin, right, surveys which team of volunteers is ready to verify a precinct's ballots Tuesday evening at the Wood County Courthouse. 

PARKERSBURG – Two incumbent lawmakers from Wood County lost in Tuesday’s primary election, while another trails by just five votes.

Parkersburg resident Charles Hartzog, a 23-year-old Walmart employee, upset House of Delegates Finance Committee Chairman Vernon Criss in the Republican primary for District 11. Endorsed by Gov. Patrick Morrisey, who campaigned with him in Parkersburg on May 2, Hartzog received 688 votes to 422 for Criss, who has often found himself at odds with the governor.

Hartzog, who previously ran for the Monongalia County Commission and a magistrate seat while a student at West Virginia University, thanked the voters who supported him and the volunteers who helped him in the primary in a statement on Wednesday.

“I look forward to the general election and ultimately working with Gov. Morrisey and the Legislature to defend the unborn, cut government red tape, support free market principles and fight for reforms in rural health care that drive costs down for families,” he said. “I believe West Virginia can become the best place to live, work and raise a family.”

Criss, who was seeking a sixth consecutive term in the House, said he believed the decision by the state Republican Party to close its primary to independent voters hurt his chances.

“I believe that is one of the reasons his excellency the governor has wanted all along was to vacate the independents from the primary process,” he said. “I think that was the main reason I got beat.”

There were about 1,300 to 1,400 votes in the last two primaries in the district, Criss said. This year, the total was just over 1,100.

Criss doesn’t have any plans right now to run in the next election.

“That is two years out,” he said. “At some point there may be an opportunity, but right now I am going to concentrate on finishing my term.”

An interim legislative session will begin Monday, with another coming in the fall.

“I plan to continue to be the chairman of the Finance Committee, until such time that the fall election is held, the vote certified and the new delegates take their seats.”

Hartzog will take on Dennis V. Rempel, who was unopposed in the Democratic primary, in November.

In District 13 – which includes south Parkersburg, Washington and Lubeck – Melissa McCrady received 910 votes in the Republican primary while incumbent Del. Scot Heckert had 528.

“I am so thankful to the good people of District 13 who chose to endorse and act for freedom today,” McCrady said, expressing appreciation to her volunteers, advisers and family as well.

Moving forward, she pledged to “always move and vote in the direction of freedom … To be respectful toward Governor Morrisey and do my best to represent the views and best interests of the citizens of Wood County and our state.”

Heckert, who has also butted heads with Morrisey, described himself as “a winner either way.

“I set out two years ago to show the state of West Virginia what the Morriseys were like, and I’ve done just that,” he said.

Heckert described this election as “the dirtiest campaigning I’ve ever seen.” He said he might run for the House again, but predicted “Patrick Morrisey will never be elected to anything in West Virginia ever again.”

McCrady is set to face Marley Umensetter, who was unopposed in the Democratic primary, in the general election.

In District 10, Justin Beanard led fellow Williamstown resident and 17-term Del. Bill Anderson by five votes, 827-822 according to the final, unofficial results.

Wood County Clerk Joe Gonzales said there were approximately 13 provisional ballots in the district. That means the outcome could change, depending on whether the ballots are accepted and who the voters chose.

“Honestly, I’m stoked, I did not think I was going to be able to pull it off, but I think it’s safe to say that people of West Virginia and especially Wood County – we want change,” Beanard said. “My whole thing has been about families and rebuilding broken relationships. This is what normal people want: They want a safe system for their families, and I think that was the biggest change and the biggest thing I push for, and I think that’s what everyone’s seen.”

Anderson said he’s always respected the voters of Wood County.

“In this particular case, I believe I’ve worked hard for the district over the years and plan to continue working hard – but if the judgment of the voters is that they desire someone else, then I respect their judgment,” he said.

The winner will take on Christopher Jones, who was unopposed in the Democratic primary, in November.

Staff reporter Brett Dunlap contributed to this story.

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