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State Senator, 17th Senatorial District

Unexpired term

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 part of Kanawha County (West Virginia Legislature Senate roster). Unexpired term of former Sen. Eric Nelson, who resigned after being named Secretary of Revenue; Sen. Anne B. Charnock (R) was appointed to the seat by Gov. Patrick Morrisey on February 4, 2025.

CandidatesCompare by issue

Richie Robb

Democratic

South Charleston

The gist

  • Supports protecting PEIA and public retiree benefits.
  • Supports addressing rising costs for families and small businesses.
  • Supports teachers and education for economic growth.
  • Supports giving communities a voice in major projects.
More about Richie
View sources (1)

  1. Supports protecting PEIA and public retiree benefits.

    Richie Robb for State Senate

    Campaign website · Richie Robb for State Senate · richierobb.com

    “Ensure public employees and retirees receive the benefits they've earned.”

  2. Supports addressing rising costs for families and small businesses.

    Richie Robb for State Senate

    Campaign website · Richie Robb for State Senate · richierobb.com

    “Fight rising costs impacting families, seniors, and small businesses.”

  3. Supports teachers and education for economic growth.

    Richie Robb for State Senate

    Campaign website · Richie Robb for State Senate · richierobb.com

    “Support teachers. Education is the key to bringing West Virginia into the 21st century economy.”

  4. Supports giving communities a voice in major projects.

    Richie Robb for State Senate

    Campaign website · Richie Robb for State Senate · richierobb.com

    “Promote economic growth while giving communities a voice in major projects.”
Photo of Anne B. Charnock
Anne B. CharnockWest Virginia Legislature

Anne B. Charnock

RepublicanIncumbent

Lawyer · Charleston

The gist

  • 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 ending public financing of Supreme Court campaigns.In office
  • Sponsored bill allowing county-wide voting centers on election day.In office
  • Sponsored amendment exempting honorably discharged veterans from property tax.In office
  • Sponsored bill mandating life sentences for murdering minors with firearms.In office

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

More about Anne
View sources (5)

  1. 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 CHARNOCK · wvlegislature.gov

    “Relating to personal income tax reduction”

  2. 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 CHARNOCK · wvlegislature.gov

    “Budget Bill”

  3. 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 CHARNOCK · wvlegislature.gov

    “Teacher, School Personnel, and State Police Pay Raise”

  4. 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 CHARNOCK · wvlegislature.gov

    “Certified Microgrid Program”

  5. Sponsored law ending public financing of Supreme Court campaigns.

    Anne B. Charnock: member page, West Virginia Legislature

    Government record · West Virginia Legislature · SB 643 · wvlegislature.gov

    “Discontinuing WV Supreme Court of Appeals Public Campaign Financing Program”

  6. Sponsored bill allowing county-wide voting centers on election day.

    Anne B. Charnock: member page, West Virginia Legislature

    Government record · West Virginia Legislature · SB 976 · wvlegislature.gov

    “Authorizing optional use of county-wide voting centers on election day”

  7. Sponsored amendment exempting honorably discharged veterans from property tax.

    Anne B. Charnock: member page, West Virginia Legislature

    Government record · West Virginia Legislature · SJR 3 · wvlegislature.gov

    “Honorably Discharged Veterans' Property Tax Exemption Amendment”

  8. Sponsored bill mandating life sentences for murdering minors with firearms.

    Anne B. Charnock: member page, West Virginia Legislature

    Government record · West Virginia Legislature · SB 920 · wvlegislature.gov

    “Mandating life sentence for first degree murder of minor victim with firearm”

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; 6 issues covered in this race.