Ohio County, West Virginia

West Virginia House District 5

2 candidates are tracked for West Virginia House District 5 on the November 3, 2026 ballot: Karen Shuler Stakem and Beth Hinebaugh. Candidate information follows official Ohio County election filings; verify with the official election office linked below.

About this race

Karen Shuler Stakem (Democrat), Beth Hinebaugh (Republican) are on the November 3, 2026 ballot for West Virginia House District 5. The Legislature's member roster marks no incumbent seeking this seat. Party nominees were chosen at the May 12, 2026 primary, per the West Virginia Secretary of State's certified general-election candidate list.

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. Elected by district: only voters who live in the district see this race on their ballot.

West Virginia › Ohio County › West Virginia House District 5

Karen Shuler Stakem

Democrat

Biography

Karen Shuler Stakem's family has operated the Hole N' Run sporting goods store in Wheeling for 47 years, per The Intelligencer. Stakem is the granddaughter of Thais Blatnik, who served in both the West Virginia House of Delegates and the state Senate, and is the sister of Charleston Mayor Amy Shuler Goodwin, per The Intelligencer. Stakem previously ran for the Ohio County Board of Education, per The Intelligencer. No campaign website was found as of September 20, 2026.

Beth Hinebaugh

Republican

Top priorities

Lower taxes
Less regulation
Infrastructure investment

Per the campaign site.

Biography

Beth Hinebaugh owns and operates several businesses in Wheeling, including Noah's Ark Child Care and Learning Center on Wheeling Island, with her husband Ed, per her campaign site. Hinebaugh is a former Wheeling police officer and a former EMT and firefighter for the Village of Clearview, per her campaign site.

Campaign site (opens in a new tab)

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Voting info and more

Questions about this race

Who is running for West Virginia House District 5 in 2026?

When is the West Virginia House District 5 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 Ohio 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 Ohio County and state election office filings, last verified September 27, 2026. Bios and priorities carry their attribution inline.

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

The rest of your Ohio County ballot

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

Also on your ballot

West Virginia Senate District 1 West Virginia House District 3 West Virginia House District 4 See all 5 Ohio County races

Candidate profiles

Karen Shuler Stakem, full profile Beth Hinebaugh, full profile Official West Virginia election office