West Virginia State House District 13

Current seat holder: Scot C. Heckert (Republican).

Marley Umensetter

Marley Umensetter is a Parkersburg-area resident, mother, student and community advocate running for the House of Delegates in District 13. She graduated from Parkersburg South High School and is currently pursuing an associate degree in veterinary technology. Her campaign says she became involved in local organizing before deciding to seek state office. Umensetter entered the 2026 Democratic primary as the only Democratic candidate for District 13. She received 625 votes in the May 12 primary, according to Wood County’s election results, advancing to the general election. The general election race changed after the Republican primary. Incumbent Delegate Scot Heckert lost the GOP nomination, leaving Melissa McCrady as the Republican nominee. Independent James Hendershot Jr. is also listed in the general election field.

· Candidate campaign website & Ballotpedia (secondary source)

Campaign site

“The Public Service Commission is meant to protect ratepayers from unfair utility rate hikes, which they've consistently failed to do. The West Virginia PSC is currently appointed by the Governor, but I believe these positions should be elected so that they actually have to answer to the people they're making decisions on behalf of.” (Marley Umensetter Campaign Website)
Education & Workforce: “Our public schools are the only schools accessible to every single student in our state, regardless of their zip code or financial status. We need to keep public funding in our public schools and modernize our school funding formula to ensure that they're receiving the funding and resources they require to provide a high quality education to every child in West Virginia.” (Marley Umensetter Campaign Website)

Melissa McCrady

Melissa McCrady is a Parkersburg resident, engineer, business owner and Republican candidate for House of Delegates District 13. She works as a project engineer and manager and is also a co-owner of J&M Bookstore in Parkersburg. McCrady challenged incumbent Republican Del. Scot Heckert in the May 2026 Republican primary. She won the nomination with about 63% of the vote, defeating Heckert, who received about 37%. Following the primary, McCrady said she intended to represent the views and interests of Wood County residents and described “freedom” as a guiding principle for how she would approach votes in the legislature.

“I am a wife, mother, Christian, republican, Parkersburg South High school and WVU graduate, and a lifelong Wood County resident. I love my state and the people in it.” (Ballotpedia Candidate Connection Survey)
“School Choice: I believe all children should benefit from an education that best suits their learning. If that choice is public school, private, home school, micro school or online school, I support it. Each parent/guardian who knows their children best should be able to decide which learning environment is most conducive to their children.” (Ballotpedia Candidate Connection Survey)

James Hendershot

James “JJ” Hendershot is a Parkersburg resident and Independent candidate seeking the District 13 seat in the House of Delegates. Hendershot attended West Virginia University at Parkersburg, where he graduated with a Business Administration degree. His professional background includes work in marketing and social media, and his public professional profile lists employment with Leaf Home in Vienna. In 2024, Hendershot ran as a Republican for Parkersburg City Council District 3. He received 119 votes, or 36.96%, in the Republican primary and lost to Roger E. Brown. Hendershot is running for the legislature as an Independent rather than a Republican.

“I am a born and raised West Virginia from Parkersburg. I have worked in various positions including leadership for a local business. I currently hold a Bachelor's degree from WVUP in Marketing and Management.” (Ballotpedia Candidate Connection Survey)
“People first. I will represent the people of Wood County. Not party agenda's or the Governor's agenda I will not take out of state money. I am the locally backed candidate in the race. I want to build Wood County to be a place our youth can build careers, buy homes, and start families without needing to leave for jobs elsewhere.” (Ballotpedia Candidate Connection Survey)
“One where I did my absolute to build a better West Virginia for the people and my future children.” (Ballotpedia Candidate Connection Survey)