Associated Press Published

State Sen. Herb Snyder Won't Seek Re-Election

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West Virginia Sen. Herb Snyder says he won’t run for re-election and instead will vie for Jefferson County clerk.

The longtime Democrat announced the decision on his campaign website Monday.

Snyder was first elected in his Eastern Panhandle district in 1996. The 61-year-old environmental chemist previously was a Jefferson County commissioner from 1991 to 1996.

The move leaves an open seat in the Senate, which Republicans currently control by an 18-16 margin.

Democratic Del. Stephen Skinner said Monday that he will run for the Senate seat. Republican Patricia Rucker has also opened a campaign account to contend for the seat.

Skinner defeated Rucker in his House of Delegates race in 2014.