The Ballot Brief
Wood County, West Virginia

West Virginia House District 12

3 candidates are tracked for West Virginia House District 12 on the November 3, 2026 ballot: Dennis V Rempel, Stephen Thomas Smith and Charles D. Hartzog. Candidate information follows official Wood County election filings; verify with the official election office linked below.

About this race

Dennis V Rempel (Democrat), Stephen Thomas Smith (Libertarian), Charles D. Hartzog (Republican) are on the November 3, 2026 ballot for West Virginia House District 12. 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 › Wood County › West Virginia House District 12

Dennis V Rempel

Democrat

Biography

Dennis is a military veteran of 14 years who grew up in West Virginia, per the campaign site. He has dedicated his career to government service, per the campaign site.

Stephen Thomas Smith

Libertarian

Top priorities
  • Supports state tax reform to close loopholes
  • Supports accountability for public funds given to schools, public or private
  • Supports reforming the foster care system

Per the campaign site.

Biography

Smith is a retired commercial banker and business executive who served as controller or chief financial officer for companies in banking, manufacturing, logistics and publishing, per the campaign site. Smith later taught accounting and business at West Virginia University at Parkersburg for eleven years, per the campaign site. Smith holds a finance degree from West Virginia University, an MBA, and a master's in accountancy from Stetson University, per the campaign site.

Charles D. Hartzog

Republican

Biography

Charles D. Hartzog is the Republican nominee for House District 12. He is a 23 year old Walmart employee from Parkersburg, per News and Sentinel. No campaign website was found as of September 25, 2026.

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Questions about this race

Who is running for West Virginia House District 12 in 2026?

3 candidates are tracked for West Virginia House District 12 on the November 3, 2026 ballot: Dennis V Rempel, Stephen Thomas Smith and Charles D. Hartzog. Candidate information follows official Wood County election filings; verify with the official election office linked below.

When is the West Virginia House District 12 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 Wood 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 Wood 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 Wood County sample ballot and your exact ballot by address.

The rest of your Wood County ballot

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

Also on your ballot
West Virginia House District 14Wood County CommissionerWest Virginia Senate District 3See all 8 Wood County races
Candidate profiles
Dennis V Rempel, full profileStephen Thomas Smith, full profileCharles D. Hartzog, full profileOfficial West Virginia election office