Heckert concedes loss to McCrady in GOP primary for House District 13

WTAP
May 13, 2026

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PARKERSBURG, W.Va. (WTAP) – Incumbent Delegate Scot Heckert is reacting after losing Tuesday’s Republican primary to challenger Melissa McCrady in West Virginia’s House District 13 race. The results are still unofficial at this time, but pre-certified votes suggest a 26% gap between the two candidates.

“The results went not like a lot of us wanted,” Heckert said in an interview Wednesday. He argued outside spending influenced the outcome in Wood County, saying, “They spent a lot of money in Wood County to take a lot of us out and… it worked.”

Still, Heckert said he is not focused on bitterness after the loss.

“I’m not going to have sour grapes and whine and cry like a lot of people do when they lose,” he said. “It’s been an honor and a privilege.”

Heckert said he will remain in office until December and continue working on committee responsibilities and issues affecting the district and state.

“The future docket, you know, I’m still a delegate till December,” he said. “And I still have committee stuff to work on and stuff for the state to work on and stuff for my community to work on.”

He also said he is considering another run.

“I will be filing to rerun very shortly,” Heckert said.

Heckert added that election night was personal for his family, saying his grandchildren were with him and reacted to the outcome by telling him they were disappointed he lost, “but we get Papaw back.”

Asked what he hopes for McCrady as she moves forward, Heckert said he wished her well but added, “I hope she uses her mind and not the mind of the people that paid for her to get there.”

McCrady, the Republican delegate-elect for District 13, issued a statement thanking voters and supporters and said she is ready to represent the district.

“I am so thankful to the good people of District 13,” McCrady said, adding that she leaned on volunteers, advisors and her family during the campaign.

“As the Republican elect for District 13 Delegate, I pledge to always move and vote in the direction of freedom,” she said. McCrady also said she intends “to be respectful toward Governor Morrisey” and to represent “the views and best interests of the citizens of Wood County and our state.”

“I look forward to serving as your elected District 13 Delegate,” McCrady said.

The District 13 seat represents parts of Wood County. The winner of the general election will serve in the next legislative session in Charleston.