State

State Senator, 15th Senatorial District

Vote for: 1
Term: 4 years
Candidates: 2
Election: Nov 3, 2026

What this office does: A state senator votes on West Virginia laws and the state budget in the State Senate; each of the 17 senatorial districts elects two senators to staggered four-year terms.

District covers Hampshire, Morgan and part of Berkeley counties (West Virginia Legislature Senate roster). Regular four-year term. The district's other senator, Tom Willis, is not up this year. Ken Reed (Independent) is a declared write-in candidate (not printed on the ballot).

Candidates Compare by issue

Elizabeth Ferris

Democratic

Berkeley Springs

The gist

Pledges to restore local control over data center siting.
Supports competitive teacher pay and special education resources.
Supports affordable home construction and child care access.
Pledges regular town halls and no corporate contributions.
Opposes the state moratorium on new methadone clinics.
Supports job training and recreation investment for young people.

More about Elizabeth

View sources (1)

Pledges to restore local control over data center siting.
Elizabeth Ferris for W.Va. Senate
Campaign website · Elizabeth Ferris for W.Va. Senate · elizabethforwv.com
“I will vote to restore community voices, keep data centers away from neighborhoods”
Supports competitive teacher pay and special education resources.
Elizabeth Ferris for W.Va. Senate
Campaign website · Elizabeth Ferris for W.Va. Senate · elizabethforwv.com
“advocating for competitive teacher pay, increased resources for special education, and accountability with our tax dollars”
Supports affordable home construction and child care access.
Elizabeth Ferris for W.Va. Senate
Campaign website · Elizabeth Ferris for W.Va. Senate · elizabethforwv.com
“promoting affordable home construction and childcare access, addressing rising utility costs”
Pledges regular town halls and no corporate contributions.
Elizabeth Ferris for W.Va. Senate
Campaign website · Elizabeth Ferris for W.Va. Senate · elizabethforwv.com
“holding regular town halls, responding to constituent emails and phone calls, staying free of corporate dollars”
Opposes the state moratorium on new methadone clinics.
Elizabeth Ferris for W.Va. Senate
Campaign website · Elizabeth Ferris for W.Va. Senate · elizabethforwv.com
“Yet we are the only state to have a moratorium on new methadone clinics, a proven addiction treatment.”
Supports job training and recreation investment for young people.
Elizabeth Ferris for W.Va. Senate
Campaign website · Elizabeth Ferris for W.Va. Senate · elizabethforwv.com
“I will work to invest in our young people through job training, smart development, and recreation opportunities”

Darren J. Thorne

RepublicanIncumbent

Farmer · Romney

The gist

Supports school choice.
Supports religious and philosophical vaccine exemptions.
Voted for 2026 personal income tax reduction (SB 392).In office
Voted for the 2026 state budget bill (SB 250).In office
Voted for 2026 teacher and State Police pay raise.In office
Voted for 2025 certified microgrid program law (HB 2014).In office
Sponsored law barring police surveillance cameras on private property.In office
Sponsored bill reducing property valuation for certain farmland.In office

In office = from the candidate's own official statements or legislation as an officeholder, not their campaign.

More about Darren

View sources (6)

Supports school choice.
Darren J. Thorne for West Virginia
Campaign website · Committee to Elect Darren J Thorne · darrenthorneforwv.com
“Darren supports school choice and policies that empower families”
Supports religious and philosophical vaccine exemptions.
Darren J. Thorne for West Virginia
Campaign website · Committee to Elect Darren J Thorne · darrenthorneforwv.com
“Darren supports medical freedom and informed consent, including religious and philosophical exemptions.”
Voted for 2026 personal income tax reduction (SB 392).
Senate roll call 652: SB 392, Relating to personal income tax reduction (concur and pass, March 14, 2026)
Government record · West Virginia Senate · Mar 14, 2026 · Y THORNE · wvlegislature.gov
“Relating to personal income tax reduction”
Voted for the 2026 state budget bill (SB 250).
Senate roll call 358: SB 250, Budget Bill (concur as amended and pass, March 5, 2026)
Government record · West Virginia Senate · Mar 5, 2026 · Y THORNE · wvlegislature.gov
“Budget Bill”
Voted for 2026 teacher and State Police pay raise.
Senate roll call 715: HB 4765, Teacher, School Personnel, and State Police Pay Raise (recede and pass, March 14, 2026)
Government record · West Virginia Senate · Mar 14, 2026 · Y THORNE · wvlegislature.gov
“Teacher, School Personnel, and State Police Pay Raise”
Voted for 2025 certified microgrid program law (HB 2014).
Senate roll call 591: HB 2014, Certified Microgrid Program (concur and pass, April 12, 2025)
Government record · West Virginia Senate · Apr 12, 2025 · Y THORNE · wvlegislature.gov
“Certified Microgrid Program”
Sponsored law barring police surveillance cameras on private property.
Darren Thorne: member page, West Virginia Legislature
Government record · West Virginia Legislature · SB 84 · wvlegislature.gov
“Prohibiting law enforcement from placing surveillance cameras on private property”
Sponsored bill reducing property valuation for certain farmland.
Darren Thorne: member page, West Virginia Legislature
Government record · West Virginia Legislature · SB 45 · wvlegislature.gov
“Allowing reduced property valuation for certain farmland”

Challengers are listed first and incumbents last; otherwise candidates appear in ballot order. The Gist does not rank, rate or endorse candidates. Only positions backed by a cited source are shown; 7 issues covered in this race.