Filing period ends for W.Va. special election; 15 candidates seek Byrd’s Senate seat

15 candidates file to seek US Senate seat in W.Va.

CHARLESTON, W.Va. — The special election for the late Robert C. Byrd’s U.S. Senate seat in West Virginia has attracted 15 candidates.

The Mountain Party’s Jesse Johnson entered the race on Friday before the filing period ended. So did Frank T. Kubic of Charles Town, the 11th Republican to seek the seat.

They join three Democrats who include Gov. Joe Manchin, seen as the overall front-runner, and former congressman and secretary of state Ken Hechler. The 10 other Republicans who filed include recent U.S. House candidate Mac Warner and industrialist John Raese.

Secretary of State Natalie Tennant will certify candidates Saturday. Party primaries will be held Aug. 28 and the general election is Nov. 2.