Women to Compete in 58 West Virginia Statehouse Races
Candidates are preparing for the November 3, 2026, elections across 119 legislative districts.
Updated on Oct. 28, 2026 in Women’s Issues
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Women candidates are set to appear on the ballot in 58 of the 119 statehouse races during the November 3, 2026, midterm elections in West Virginia. The field includes several districts featuring multiple female contenders.
Why it matters
The outcome of these contests on November 3 may significantly alter the gender composition of the West Virginia legislature. Voters will determine which candidates fill these seats in a cycle where nearly half of all statehouse races feature at least one woman.
Of the 119 total statehouse races occurring this cycle, 58 feature at least one female candidate, with seven of those contests including more than one woman. These figures include high-profile matchups like House District 96 and House District 52.
The players
Katie Rose
She is a Republican candidate running for a seat in House District 96.
Lisa Cathro
She is a Democratic candidate for the House District 96 seat.
Becky Dummire
She is a Constitution Party candidate competing in House District 96.
Joyce Brown
She is a Democratic challenger running against an incumbent in House District 52.
Lucia Valentine
She is a Democratic candidate who previously ran against Chris Anders in 2024.
The details
In House District 96, voters will choose between Republican Katie Rose, Democrat Lisa Cathro, and Constitution Party candidate Becky Dummire. Meanwhile, Democrat Joyce Brown is challenging incumbent Tresa Howell in House District 52, and Lucia Valentine is seeking to unseat incumbent Chris Anders following a close loss in 2024.
Timeline
2024: Lucia Valentine lost to Chris Anders by less than 10 points.
November 3, 2026: Election day for the statehouse races.
Culture Shift
The 2026 midterms reflect a continued trend of increased female participation in state-level politics following the 2024 House District legislative race between Lucia Valentine and Chris Anders. This shift signals a departure from historical legislative candidate demographics in West Virginia.
Voters will make choices that determine the representation of their districts for the upcoming legislative term. Residents should verify their polling locations and registration status before participating on November 3.
The takeaway
The November 3 election will provide a clear picture of how West Virginia voters prioritize legislative representation. Citizens are encouraged to review the platforms of all candidates in their respective districts to make an informed choice at the ballot box.
Further reading
Explore ongoing trends in candidate diversity on the West Virginia Women’s Issues page.
Source note: This article includes information reported by WOWK 13 Huntington.
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