Current seat holder: Mike Woelfel (D).
Marisa Calisto Jackson is a fine artist, small business owner and Democratic candidate running for the West Virginia House of Delegates, District 58. She earned a Bachelor of Fine Arts from Marshall University and a Master of Business Administration from West Virginia University (WVU). She founded MarisaMade, a local fine art and gift business that celebrates Appalachian culture. Her daughter has a rare genetic disorder, FOXG1 syndrome, which she says inspired her advocacy and grew out of personal experience as a parent navigating healthcare and education systems for her child. Combining her business background with community activism, she has advocated both locally and nationally for disability rights, rare disease research funding and public health protections.
· Candidate campaign website & Ballotpedia (secondary source)
Chris Miller is the Republican candidate for West Virginia State Senate District 5. Miller is the owner of Dutch Miller Auto Group, a family auto business in Huntington. He began working in the family business washing cars before moving into leadership. According to his campaign, the company employs about 500 West Virginians. In 2024, Miller ran as a Republican candidate for Governor of West Virginia, but did not win the nomination. He has not previously held elected office. Miller is the son of U.S. Rep. Carol Miller, who represents West Virginia’s 1st Congressional District. In January 2026, Chris Miller announced his campaign for the Senate District 5 seat, which covers parts of Cabell and Wayne counties. Miller’s campaign has identified job creation, infrastructure and government ethics as areas of focus for his campaign. He advanced through the Republican primary unopposed and will face Democrat DuRon Jackson in November. The current incumbent, Mike Woelfel, chose not to seek reelection.
· Candidate campaign website & Ballotpedia (secondary source)