West Virginia State Senate District 15

Current seat holder: Darren Thorne (R).

Elizabeth Ferris

Elizabeth Anne Ferris currently lives in Berkeley Springs. She is a 2011 graduate from William and also pursued a MFA from Queens University in Charlotte. She teaches both fiction and non-fiction writing and is also a published author. She is a congregant of the Bethel Lutheran Church, volunteer on the Morgan Arts Council, and local ICE House. Her campaign motto is “Common Ground for Common Good.” Her campaign says that echoes her mission of breaking political barriers and offering solutions for all in a heavily conservative environment. Her campaign also focuses on data centers and the community impact they have. She supports a community referendum policy for AI data centers. Ferris also supports evidence-based treatment options for West Virginians struggling with addiction and has voiced support for expanding medical access.

· Candidate campaign website & Ballotpedia (secondary source)

Campaign site

“Elizabeth is a writer, teacher, and neighbor who believes West Virginia deserves fewer career politicians and more people who care. She is guided by her faith to stand up for her community, especially its most vulnerable members. She believes West Virginians are ready for real investment in our schools, our young people, and our working families.” (Ballotpedia Candidate Connection Survey)
“Public School Success. Our children deserve our investment. West Virginia cannot continue to be at the bottom in reading and math scores and high school graduation rates. We must invest appropriate resources in our public schools now to make sure our children aren't left behind and West Virginia can be a great place to raise a family.” (Ballotpedia Candidate Connection Survey)
“I'm running to represent my neighbors in Senate District 15 because I believe we are settling for too little from Charleston.” (Elizabeth Ferris Campaign Website)

Darren Thorne

Darren Thorne is the current incumbent representing Senate District 15. He served in the House of Delegates representing District 89 in 2022 and won reelection in 2024. In 2025, Thorne was assigned to the Senate by former Gov. Jim Justice filling the vacancy left by Charles Trump IV. During his time in the House, his committee worked on legislation regarding education, agriculture, economic development, and insurance. Currently, he serves as the Vice Chair of the Senate Agriculture Committee. Thorne is a life-long resident of Hampshire County and a farmer, a former truck-driver and has been married to his wife for 32 years raising twins on his family farm. He is an advocate for school choice, medical choice and non-compulsory vaccination options, including philosophical and religious exemptions. His campaign says he supports the Right to Farm Act, and supports restrictions on foreign entity ownership of agricultural land.

Campaign site

“It's a very important thing that we do here in the state that not only just benefits the needy, but it helps our farmers,” (The Real WV)
“Our local farmers, no matter how big or small, benefit everybody. I'm glad Gov. Morrisey allowed the money to go through, and I appreciate the legislature for voting for this program to extend this, and hopefully in the future we can add to it.” (The Real WV)
“I'm honored that Governor Justice has chosen me to be the next Senator from the 15th District,” (The Real WV)