Mike Stuart, the chairman of the West Virginia GOP, said he’s not running for governor. He said he may consider running for public office in 2012.
The Republicans who have thrown their hat in the ring include State Sen. Clark Barnes and former Secretary of State Betty Ireland. Democrats running in this year’s special election include current Acting Governor Earl Ray Tomblin, State Sen. Jeff Kessler, Secretary of State Natalie Tennant, and State Delegate Rick Thompson.