Greenbrier legislators all face challengers in upcoming election

By RealWV staff,

CHARLESTON, WV — With the deadline to file for elective office in West Virginia occurring over the weekend, a number of candidates from both the Democratic and Republican parties declared their intentions via official paperwork with the Secretary of State’s office on Saturday night.

For State Senate, incumbent Vince Deeds, R-Greenbrier, will face multiple challengers. Rev. Dr. Robert Shirley Love, R-Fayette, and Pastor Jonathan Comer, R-Greenbrier, both filed to run against Deeds in the primary. Kent Gilkerson, D-Summers, a local farmer, will challenge the winner of the Republican primary in the general election.

For House of Delegates District 46 (eastern Greenbrier plus southern Pocahontas), incumbent Jeff Campbell, R-Greenbrier, will face a primary challenge from Mark Robinson, R-Greenbrier, who previously ran for sheriff. Sarah Umberger, D-Greenbrier, a longtime active member of the Greenbrier County Democratic Women, will vie for the seat come the general election.

For House of Delegates District 47 (western Greenbrier northern Monroe), incumbent Ray Canterbury, R-Greenbrier, will face a primary challenge from attorney Mary Catherine Tuckwiller, R-Greenbrier. Sarah Morris, D-Greenbrier, a local small business owner and caregiver, will face off against Mark Phipps, D-Greenbrier, a local US Army veteran, in the Democratic primary.

The primary election in West Virginia is scheduled for May 6, 2026.