Democrats throughout the state will gather today and Saturday at the Charleston Civic Center to choose the West Virginia delegates to the Democratic National Convention in July in Philadelphia.
But after the convention closes, there's another position up for grabs - state chairperson of the Democratic Party.
"It's an open process," said current Chairwoman Belinda Biafore. "I love the excitement."
Biafore is being challenged by her current Vice Chairman Christopher Regan.
This isn't the first time Regan has run for chairman of the party.
In 2015, Biafore and Regan sent a letter to the executive committee asking to run as co-chairmen of the Democratic Party when Larry Puccio stepped down as chairman. When the executive committee told them that they couldn't, Regan decided to run for vice chairman and won.
But now, in the midst of declining numbers of registered Democrats in a state that is rapidly turning red, the two represent different factions of the Democratic Party in the state and directions of the party.
Biafore was the vice chairwoman of the party under Puccio, who is a longtime friend and adviser to U.S. Sen. Joe Manchin, and both Biafore and Manchin are from Marion County.
Puccio is now a senior consultant to Jim Justice's gubernatorial campaign.
Hilary Regan, Regan's wife, gave $1,000 to the campaigns of both former U.S. Attorney Booth Goodwin and state Senate Minority Leader Jeff Kessler, who Justice beat in the Democratic primary.
Biafore has teamed up with Bill Laird, a retiring Democratic state senator from Fayette County, who is running for vice chairman.
"I think we're going in a pretty good direction," Biafore said. "I think we've made some pretty good strides."
Biafore specifically mentioned the work that the party did in recruiting candidates to run for office. There are Democrats running in 61 of 67 House districts.
Regan, a lawyer with Bordas & Bordas in Wheeling, said he felt the party needed to reach out to more people.
"I think the issue is broadening the appeal of our party in West Virginia," Regan said, "and making sure it stands up for all Democrats."
Regan endorsed Vermont Sen. Bernie Sanders (but now supports former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton as the presumptive nominee) and stressed the importance of the party reaching out to younger people. Biafore has endorsed Clinton from the beginning.
Biafore has been involved in Democratic politics in the state for years.
"I think I understand the process," Biafore said. "I think I've been involved for many, many years."
Regan is a relative newcomer.
"I think we need fresh leadership and a change if we want to see different results," Regan said.
According to Biafore, she has received the endorsements of many prominent Democratic leaders.
"I am a firm believer that whoever your leaders are - senators, gubernatorial candidates, state House and Senate caucuses - I have a good working relationship with all of those, and they've endorsed me," Biafore said.
But Regan, pointing to the loss of both the House and Senate in 2014, said that he thinks it's time for change.
"We cannot sustain that course, or there won't be anything left," Regan said.
Reach Daniel Desrochers at
dan.desrochers@wvgazettemail.com,
304-348-4886 or follow
@drdesrochers on Twitter.