Current seat holder: Lori Dittman (Republican).
Kevin Westley Carpenter is an attorney from central West Virginia. He is the Democratic Party’s 2026 nominee for House of Delegates District 63, which includes Braxton and Gilmer counties. In 2022, Carpenter first sought the seat. He was unopposed for the Democratic nomination but lost the general election to Republican Lori Dittman, receiving 28.9% of the vote. He returned to the race in 2026 and defeated Betsy Coulter in the Democratic primary with about 62%, earning a rematch with Lori Dittman in the Nov. 3, 2026, general election. Carpenter describes his legal career as experience advocating for individuals affected by government and legal systems. His campaign emphasizes stronger local communities, assistance for working families, fairness under the law and greater accountability in state government. Carpenter presents his candidacy as an effort to give Braxton and Gilmer residents a stronger voice in state decisions and make government more responsive to families, workers and small businesses. Kevin Carpenter appears on the November 3, 2026 general election ballot for West Virginia House of Delegates District 63.
· Candidate campaign website & Ballotpedia (secondary source)
Lori Cowger Dittman currently serves as the delegate for District 63 in the West Virginia House of Delegates. District 63 includes Braxton and Gilmer counties. Dittman first took office on Dec. 1, 2022, and was reelected without opposition in 2024. In the May 2026 primary for the Republican Party, she defeated Wesley Self with approximately 75% of the vote. She will face Democratic nominee Kevin Westley Carpenter in the November general election. Dittman graduated from Braxton County High School and continued her education at Fairmont State College and West Virginia University (WVU). She has worked as a teacher and small business owner. Her professional background connects closely with her stated interest in education, workforce preparation and economic development. During the 2026 legislative session, Dittman was the lead sponsor of 10 bills. She currently chairs the House Higher Education Committee. Her campaign priorities include reducing taxes, expanding the homestead exemption, supporting public education and increasing access to vocational training. Dittman has also said she supports improvements to roads, bridges and broadband service.