Current seat holder: Zack Maynard (R).
Cynthia Brake is the Democrat running for the West Virginia State Senate for District 7. Brake is from St. Albans in Kanawha County and is running for a seat that covers Boone, Lincoln, Logan, and parts of Kanawha County. Brake entered the 2026 election as one of two Democratic candidates seeking the nomination for the Senate seat. She won the Democratic primary on May 12, defeating Michael Karr with about 57% of the vote. She will now face Republican incumbent Zack Maynard in the November general election. Brake’s campaign has focused on the cost of living. The community is also facing issues such as infrastructure, water access, utility costs, and economic development, which are issues Brake’s campaign says she is concerned about.
Zack Maynard is the Republican incumbent running for reelection to the Senate in District 7. He is from Harts in Lincoln County and was appointed to the Senate in October 2025 by Gov. Patrick Morrisey after former Sen. Mike Stuart resigned to take a federal position. Before joining the Senate, Maynard served three terms in the West Virginia House of Delegates from 2016 to 2022. According to the West Virginia Legislature, Maynard studied business management and is self-employed. He is married, has children, and is a member of Guyan Freewill Baptist Church. His Senate district includes Boone, Lincoln, and Logan counties and part of Kanawha County. When he was sworn into the Senate, Maynard said jobs, infrastructure, and education were priorities for making West Virginia a place where young people can live, work, and raise families. He currently serves on several Senate committees, including Economic Development, Energy, Industry and Mining, Government Organization, Judiciary, and Transportation and Infrastructure. Maynard won the Republican primary and will face Democratic candidate Cindy Brake and independent Shawn Legg in the general election.
Shawn M. Legg is an independent candidate for the West Virginia Senate in District 7. The district includes Boone, Lincoln, and Logan counties and part of Kanawha County. Legg is facing Democrat Cynthia Brake and Republican Zack Maynard in the general election. Maynard is the incumbent and was appointed to the seat in 2025 after former Sen. Mike Stuart resigned. Legg’s campaign has focused on issues and political discussions involving communities in Kanawha, Lincoln and Boone counties.