West Virginia State House District 70

Current seat holder: Mickey Petitto (Republican).

Shannon Welsh

Shannon Welsh is from Clarksburg, West Virginia. Welsh has worked in the medical, tech and finance fields, and she is currently working a real estate agent. Welsh earned her bachelor’s degree in political science from West Virginia University (WVU) in 2014 and later earned her master’s in Business Management from Capella University in 2024. Welsh says she wants to support people who are struggling, make West Virginia safer and help facilitate small business and job growth in the state. Welsh says her other priorities include supporting working families and bringing thoughtful decision-making to the House of Delegates. This is Welsh’s second time running for District 70 of the House of Delegates; she ran in 2024 when she lost to incumbent Mickey Petitto. Welsh faced Jackson Howe in the primary and won 53% of the vote. Welsh will face Paul Howe in the general election on Nov. 3.

· Candidate campaign website & Ballotpedia (secondary source)

Campaign site

“West Virginians have always stood strong in their values. Hard work, integrity, selflessness; this isn't just tradition, it's who we are.” (Shannon Welsh Campaign Website)
“Our veterans kept their commitment to us, and we have a responsibility to keep our commitment to them. West Virginia has always answered the call to serve, and I will always stand with those who served us.” (Shannon Welsh Campaign Website)
“I'm Shannon Welsh, a lifelong West Virginian from Clarksburg. Over the years, I've worked in medical, tech, finance, and now real estate. No matter the field, my focus has always been on helping people make big choices with confidence. I earned a degree in Political Science with a focus on law, and later an MBA in Business Management with a focus on project management. Friends and coworkers know me as someone who is steady, open, and compassionate.” (Shannon Welsh Campaign Website)

Paul Howe

Paul Howe III is a small business owner who lives in Clarksburg, West Virginia. Howe graduated from Washington Irvin High School in 1990. He got his bachelor’s degree from Fairmont State in 1997. Howe owns Clarksburg Pizza Co and Toni’s Ice Cream Co, which are both businesses in Clarksburg. Howe also owns Howe Properties LLC. He has been on Harrison County’s school board since 2008 and served as the president of the board from 2008-2012. Howe says he wants to help to improve the education system in the state and believes that school boards should be determining the curriculum for schools. He says he supports having more police oversight in the state. Howe won the primary against Salvatore Bombardiere in the primary election when he garnered 51.1% of the vote. Howe will face Democrat Shannon Welsh in the general election on Nov. 3.

“This was a looting that would make even a pirate blush, with children and taxpayers as victims. I suppose walking the plank was out of the question. However, the court's decision will prevent her from ever stealing from students again.” (Mountain State Spotlight)