West Virginia's fifty-sixth state house district is represented by Republican Representative Gary G. Howell.

As of the 2010 census, a total of 19,413 civilians reside within West Virginia's fifty-sixth state house district. West Virginia's state delegates represent an average of 18,530 residents. After the 2000 Census, each member represented 18,083 residents.

About the office

Members of the West Virginia House of Delegates serve two-year terms and are not subject to term limits. West Virginia legislators assume office the first day of December following the election.

Qualifications

Section 13 of Article 6 of the West Virginia Constitution states, "No person holding any other lucrative office or employment under this state, the United States, or any foreign government; no member of Congress; and no person who is sheriff, constable, or clerk of any court of record, shall be eligible to a seat in the Legislature."

Salaries

Vacancies

In West Virginia, the Governor is responsible for filling all vacancies in the house.

The executive committee of the political party that holds the seat must submit a list of three candidates to the Governor. The list must be submitted to the Governor within 15 days of the vacancy. The Governor must make a selection within five days of receiving the list. The person that is selected to fill the seat serves the remainder of the unfilled term.

Elections

2020

Elections for the office of West Virginia House of Delegates will take place in 2020. The general election will be held on November 3, 2020. A primary is scheduled for May 12, 2020. The filing deadline is January 25, 2020.

2018

2016

Elections for the West Virginia House of Delegates took place in 2016. The primary election took place on May 10, 2016, and the general election was held on November 8, 2016. The candidate filing deadline was January 30, 2016.

Incumbent Gary Howell ran unopposed in the West Virginia House of Delegates District 56 general election.

Incumbent Gary Howell ran unopposed in the West Virginia House of Delegates District 56 Republican primary.

2014

Elections for the West Virginia House of Delegates took place in 2014. A primary election took place on May 13, 2014. The general election was held on November 4, 2014. The signature filing deadline for candidates wishing to run in this election was January 25, 2014. Incumbent Gary Howell was unopposed in the Republican primary. Howell was unopposed in the general election.

2012

Elections for the office of West Virginia House of Delegates consisted of a primary election on May 8, 2012, and a general election on November 6, 2012. Republican incumbent Gary G. Howell defeated Democrat Jim Maybury in the general election. Howell defeated Robert "Bob" Harman in the Republican primary election. Maybury was unopposed in the Democratic primary election.

West Virginia House of Delegates, District 56 Republican Primary, 2012

Campaign contributions

From 2002 to 2016, candidates for West Virginia House of Delegates District 56 raised a total of $265,602. Candidates who raised money in contributions earned $13,280 on average. All figures come from Follow the Money.

Campaign contributions, West Virginia House of Delegates District 56