Current seat holder: Stanley Adkins (Republican).
Byron Tucker Jr. is from Nicholas County, West Virginia. In 1980, Tucker graduated from Nicholas County High School and started working in the coal mines shortly after. Tucker worked in the coal mines for 40 years, eventually working as a mine inspector. Tucker is now retired but still teaches mine safety part-time. Since 1981, Tucker has been an Emergency Responder both as a volunteer firefighter and as a volunteer EMS worker. This is Tucker’s first time running for state office. Tucker believes that there is a need for public officials to be more transparent and accountable for their actions. His priorities include improving the education system in the state and holding employers accountable to upholding workplace safety and worker’s rights. He also says he wants to ensure that everyone in Nicholas County receives a livable wage. Tucker ran unopposed in the primary and will face Newt McCutcheon in the general election on Nov. 3.
Newt McCutcheon is a West Virginia native. McCutcheon graduated from Nicholas County High School and later Fairmont State College. McCutcheon spent most of his career in the United States Army. McCutcheon eventually became an officer in the Army. McCutcheon has experience in the infantry, recruitment and military education. After McCutcheon’s retirement from the Army, he worked at Glenville State as part of their admissions office and as a part of the ROTC program as well. McCutcheon believes in supporting veterans in the community and worked as a veterans affairs officer in Summersville. McCutcheon defeated incumbent Stanley Adkins in the primary when he received 60% of the vote. McCutcheon will face Byron Tucker Jr., in the general election on Nov. 3.