Republican Del. Criss files as write-in candidate after being targeted by Morrisey in May primary

By: Amelia Ferrell Knisely

Outlets: West Virginia Watch

Published: August 10, 2026

Words: 703

Last Updated: 1 week, 1 day ago

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Del. Vernon Criss, R-Wood, has filed to run as a write-in candidate in the upcoming November election to hold onto his House of Delegates seat.

Criss, the House Finance chair, lost his reelection bid in May to Charles Hartzog, a 23-year-old Walmart employee heavily backed by Gov. Patrick Morrisey.

The governor and Criss have openly clashed over state budget matters. The dispute prompted Morrisey to travel to Wood County and campaign against Criss …

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