Jason Pizatella, acting secretary of the West Virginia Department of Administration, stepped down Wednesday and filed to run for state auditor in this year's Democratic primary.
Pizatella, a Fairmont native, formerly worked as deputy tax commissioner, acting deputy revenue secretary and deputy chief of staff to Gov. Earl Ray Tomblin.
Other Democrats in the state auditor's race are Mary Ann Claytor of St. Albans and Robin Righter of Shinnston, both former employees in the auditor's office.
Delegate J.B. McCuskey of Kanawha County is the lone Republican running for state auditor.
Last year, State Auditor Glen Gainer announced he would not seek re-election.
Among other recent filings for this year's election:
n State Supreme Court Justice Brent Benjamin filed to run for re-election. Benjamin's seat, which he won as a Republican in 2004, is the only one of the five Supreme Court seats open in this year's election. All judicial races in West Virginia are now non-partisan.
Other candidates for the Supreme Court seat include Clay lawyer Wayne King, Morgantown lawyer Beth Walker and Beckley lawyer and former legislative leader Bill Wooton.
n Delegate Corey Palumbo, D-Kanawha, has filed for re-election. Palumbo, a former Senate Judiciary Committee chairman, is being challenged by Delegate Chris Stansbury, R-Kanawha, in the 17th Senatorial District.
n Independent Sen. Bernie Sanders of Vermont filed for the Democratic presidential nomination, as did former Maryland governor Martin O'Malley. Ohio Gov. John Kasich and former Florida governor Jeb Bush filed for the Republican nomination.
All candidates must file their paperwork in person or have their paperwork postmarked by the U.S. Postal Service by midnight on Saturday. The Secretary of State's Office will have extended hours this weekend to accommodate candidates.
On Saturday, the Secretary of State's Charleston office will be open from 9 a.m. to midnight Saturday, while the Fairmont office will be open from 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. Both offices will be open 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. Thursday and Friday.
If filing on Saturday in Charleston, candidates are asked to come through the West Wing Capitol entrance across from the Culture Center.
While County Clerk offices are not required to be open on Saturday, some have chosen to provide extended hours to accommodate filings. Candidates are encouraged to call their local clerk's office in advance to inquire about their hours this week.
-STAFF REPORTS