Previous video: Kanawha County begins process to replace Carper, accepts resumes from candidates
KANAWHA COUNTY, WV (WOWK) – Seven qualified candidates have filed to fill the seat vacated by former Kanawha County Commissioner Kent Carper after he resigned in early May.
The application deadline was Friday, May 24th.
According to Kanawha County Commissioner Ben Salango, other candidates also applied for the position but did not meet the requirements: They had to be Democrats and live in Magistrate Districts 1 or 3.
One of the following candidates will be selected for Carper’s seat at a special commission meeting on Thursday at 5 p.m.
- Richard DaughertyExecutive Director of Kanawha Valley Fellowship Home
- Chris NegleyLawyer
- Larry RoweHouse of Representatives
- Michael ScarberrySubstation Technician for IBEW Local 317
- Marc Slotnick, Lawyer
- Richard SymnsTeacher and firefighter at Kanawha County Schools
- Natalie Tennantformer Foreign Minister
If the two commissioners cannot agree on a candidate at the meeting, Salango said the Democratic Executive Committee will come up with three names. Then he and Kanawha County Commissioner Lance Wheeler can each eliminate one name, and the last name on the list will be appointed.
“We want someone who can hit the ground running, someone who doesn’t have to learn the position,” Salango said. “By the time they figure out where the office supplies are, their tenure is over. So we need to make sure we have someone who can hit the ground running.”
Whoever is elected will serve until the end of the year, finishing out Carper’s term. Then the winner of the November election, either Democratic candidate Natalie Tennant or Republican candidate Chris Walters, will take over and begin a six-year term.
“It’s been a tough year. It’s been a tough year for the Commission. It’s been a tough year for our people. They want stability. They want to put everything behind them and look forward,” Salango said. “I’m eager to look forward and put all this behind us.”
The last county commissioner appointed to serve the remainder of his term was Salango in 2017. He was appointed to temporarily fill the seat of former Commissioner Dave Hardy when he became Cabinet Secretary of the West Virginia Department of Revenue.
