Hancock County, West Virginia

West Virginia Senate District 1

2 candidates are tracked for West Virginia Senate District 1 on the November 3, 2026 ballot: Shawn Fluharty and Laura Wakim Chapman. Candidate information follows official Hancock County election filings; verify with the official election office linked below.

About this race

Shawn Fluharty (Democrat), Laura Wakim Chapman (Republican) are on the November 3, 2026 ballot for West Virginia Senate District 1. Laura Wakim Chapman is the sitting member, per the West Virginia Legislature's member roster. Party nominees were chosen at the May 12, 2026 primary, per the West Virginia Secretary of State's certified general-election candidate list. West Virginia's 17 senatorial districts each elect two senators on staggered terms; only one seat per district is up in the regular 2026 cycle.

What this office does

State legislator. State legislators write and vote on state laws and the state budget, which fund schools, roads, prisons, universities and health programs, and set the rules for local governments and elections. Each member represents one district and serves on committees that shape bills before a floor vote. Terms are two years in most state houses and four in most state senates.

This race. Voters choose 2; the top 2 finishers win seats. Elected by district: only voters who live in the district see this race on their ballot. The sitting officeholder, Laura Wakim Chapman, is on the ballot.

West Virginia › Hancock County › West Virginia Senate District 1

Shawn Fluharty

Democrat

Top priorities

Supports gaming legislation that the campaign site says has generated more than $100 million in state revenue
Sponsors "Raylee's Law," concerning child protection

Per the campaign site.

Biography

Shawn is the son of a union electrician with IBEW Local 141 and a teacher's aide who worked with children with special needs, per the campaign site. He has served in the West Virginia Legislature for more than a decade after first being elected in 2014, per the campaign site, and has sponsored legislation including "Raylee's Law" concerning child protection, per the campaign site.

Campaign site (opens in a new tab)

Laura Wakim Chapman

Republican Incumbent

Top priorities

Supports reducing and eventually eliminating the state income tax
Supports school security measures including additional law enforcement hiring and mental health professionals
Supports lowering prescription drug costs for seniors

Per the campaign site.

Biography

Laura is a constitutional lawyer who represents clients on First and Second Amendment matters, per the campaign site. She is a graduate of Mount de Chantal and West Virginia University and lives in Wheeling, per the campaign site.

Campaign site (opens in a new tab)

Next on your ballotWest Virginia House District 1

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Voting info and more

Questions about this race

Who is running for West Virginia Senate District 1 in 2026?

When is the West Virginia Senate District 1 election in West Virginia?

Election Day is Tuesday, November 3, 2026. Registration deadlines, early voting dates and mail ballot rules for West Virginia are on the West Virginia election hub at theballotbrief.com.

How do I see my exact Hancock County ballot?

Enter your ZIP code in the lookup at theballotbrief.com for the statewide and congressional races, or a full street address to add the county, city and district contests for that location.

Verify this race

Candidate roster from official Hancock County and state election office filings, last verified September 25, 2026. Bios and priorities carry their attribution inline.

Cross-check with the official West Virginia election office, or see the full Hancock County sample ballot and your exact ballot by address.

The rest of your Hancock County ballot

5 tracked races in Hancock County, West Virginia. Landed here from another county's search? Look up your own ballot below.

Also on your ballot

West Virginia House District 2 Hancock County Circuit Clerk, Unexpired Term Hancock County Commissioner See all 5 Hancock County races

Candidate profiles

Shawn Fluharty, full profile Laura Wakim Chapman, full profile Official West Virginia election office