Voters heading to the polls on Tuesday, November 3, 2026, will decide who finishes out the remainder of the West Virginia Senate District 3 term, pitting appointed incumbent Trenton Barnhart against Constitution Party challenger Ronnie Green, News and Sentinel reported.
The Battle for District 3
The unexpired term opened earlier this year following the retirement of long-serving Donna Boley. Patrick Morrisey subsequently appointed Barnhart, a 29-year-old resident of St. Marys and business development officer for Citizens Bank of West Virginia, to the vacant seat in January. Barnhart is a Republican representing District 3, which spans Pleasants, Ritchie, Wood, and Wirt counties. His legislative resume includes time in the House of Delegates after his initial appointment in 2019 and three subsequent reelection victories.
According to official election filings tracked by The Ballot Brief, Barnhart faces Green on the November 3 ballot. District politics carry a distinct geographic rule: the district’s two senators cannot reside in the same county. The other seat is currently held by Sen. Mike Azinger, R-Wood, leaving Barnhart, a Pleasants County resident, to maintain that balance.
Fiscal Record and Legislative Priorities
Barnhart’s campaign centers heavily on a record of broad tax relief and legislative fiscal restraint.
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“We’ve eliminated over a billion dollars of tax burden on the people of West Virginia,” Barnhart said, pointing to income tax reductions and the removal of the tax on Social Security.
He also highlighted the personal property tax rebate program and a small business credit on the business and inventory tax, both enacted in 2023. Backed by state budget surpluses, those funds have additionally supported tourism initiatives, economic development, and pay increases for state employees.
Running on that platform, Barnhart frames his candidacy around economic retention. “I’m very committed to do everything I can to advance our communities and make West Virginia a place people not only want to come to but want to stay,” he said. “I’m tired of seeing people leave our state for other opportunities.”
Challenging Party Orthodoxy
Challenging the incumbent from outside the major political structures is Ronnie Green, a 58-year-old Elizabeth resident and operations manager for Locomote Express.
Approached to run by fellow members of the Constitution Party, Green pledges to evaluate legislation strictly within the boundaries of state and federal constitutions. He positions his lack of traditional political experience as an advantage against entrenched legislative habits.
“I’m not a politician, but I think (that) could be a plus,” Green said. “I think the people in there (the Legislature) are just yes to the party, yes to the party.”
Green’s platform emphasizes the defense of First and Second Amendment rights alongside a strong stance on medical freedom. Pointing to policies keeping students out of school over mandatory vaccinations, he argued that individuals should retain authority over their own healthcare decisions. On the economic front, he shares a stated commitment to fiscal responsibility and lower taxation.
“As I approach retirement age myself, I am especially interested in eliminating property taxes for seniors,” Green said.
Voters across Pleasants, Ritchie, Wood, and Wirt counties will settle the contest at the ballot box on Election Day, with further details and registration rules available through the West Virginia Secretary of State’s office.
