Zane Lawhorn

Zane Lawhorn (Republican Party) ran for election to the U.S. Senate to represent West Virginia. He lost in the Republican primary on May 14, 2024.

Lawhorn completed Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection survey in 2023. Click here to read the survey answers.

Biography

Zane Lawhorn was born in Union, West Virginia, and lives in Princeton, West Virginia. He earned a high school diploma from Union High School. Lawhorn also earned a bachelor's degree from West Virginia University in 1980, and he graduated from the Southern College of Optometry in 1985. Lawhorn's career experience includes working as an optometrist and business owner.^[1]^[2]

Elections

2024

General election

General election for U.S. Senate West Virginia

The following candidates ran in the general election for U.S. Senate West Virginia on November 5, 2024.

		Candidate	%	Votes
✔		Jim Justice (R)	68.8	514,079
		Glenn Elliott (D)	27.8	207,548
		David Moran (L)	3.5	26,075
	Submit photo	Tim Stevenski (Independent) (Write-in)	0.0	7
	Submit photo	Lewie Andrews (Independent) (Write-in)	0.0	6
	Submit photo	Joshua Standridge (Independent) (Write-in)	0.0	2

	There were no incumbents in this race. The results have been certified. Source 1 Source 2	Total votes: 747,717
= candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey.
If you are a candidate and would like to tell readers and voters more about why they should vote for you, complete the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection Survey.
Do you want a spreadsheet of this type of data? Contact our sales team.

Withdrawn or disqualified candidates

Christopher Rose (R)
Michael Sigmon (Independent)

Democratic primary election

Democratic primary for U.S. Senate West Virginia

Glenn Elliott defeated Zachary Shrewsbury and Don Blankenship in the Democratic primary for U.S. Senate West Virginia on May 14, 2024.

	Candidate	%	Votes
✔	Glenn Elliott	45.4	46,176
	Zachary Shrewsbury	36.1	36,754
	Don Blankenship	18.5	18,778

	Incumbents are bolded and underlined. The results have been certified. Source	Total votes: 101,708
= candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey.
If you are a candidate and would like to tell readers and voters more about why they should vote for you, complete the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection Survey.
Do you want a spreadsheet of this type of data? Contact our sales team.

Withdrawn or disqualified candidates

Joe Manchin III (D)

Republican primary election

Republican primary for U.S. Senate West Virginia

The following candidates ran in the Republican primary for U.S. Senate West Virginia on May 14, 2024.

		Candidate	%	Votes
✔		Jim Justice	61.8	138,307
		Alexander Mooney	26.5	59,348
		Bryan Bird	3.1	7,001
		Bryan McKinney	2.9	6,573
		Zane Lawhorn	2.0	4,517
		Janet McNulty	2.0	4,404
	Submit photo	Don Lindsay	1.6	3,503

	There were no incumbents in this race. The results have been certified. Source	Total votes: 223,653
= candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey.
If you are a candidate and would like to tell readers and voters more about why they should vote for you, complete the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection Survey.
Do you want a spreadsheet of this type of data? Contact our sales team.

Endorsements

Ballotpedia did not identify endorsements for Lawhorn in this election.

2022

General election

General election for U.S. House West Virginia District 1

Incumbent Carol Miller defeated Lacy Watson and Belinda Fox-Spencer in the general election for U.S. House West Virginia District 1 on November 8, 2022.

	Candidate	%	Votes
✔	Carol Miller (R)	66.7	151,511
	Lacy Watson (D)	28.8	65,428
	Belinda Fox-Spencer (Independent)	4.5	10,257

	Incumbents are bolded and underlined. The results have been certified. Source	Total votes: 227,196
= candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey.
If you are a candidate and would like to tell readers and voters more about why they should vote for you, complete the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection Survey.
Do you want a spreadsheet of this type of data? Contact our sales team.

Democratic primary election

Democratic primary for U.S. House West Virginia District 1

Lacy Watson advanced from the Democratic primary for U.S. House West Virginia District 1 on May 10, 2022.

		Candidate	%	Votes
✔		Lacy Watson	100.0	32,686

	There were no incumbents in this race. The results have been certified. Source	Total votes: 32,686
= candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey.
If you are a candidate and would like to tell readers and voters more about why they should vote for you, complete the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection Survey.
Do you want a spreadsheet of this type of data? Contact our sales team.

Republican primary election

Republican primary for U.S. House West Virginia District 1

Incumbent Carol Miller defeated Scott Fuller, Zane Lawhorn, James Houser, and Kent Stevens in the Republican primary for U.S. House West Virginia District 1 on May 10, 2022.

		Candidate	%	Votes
✔		Carol Miller	66.3	41,852
		Scott Fuller	9.8	6,197
		Zane Lawhorn	8.8	5,530
	Submit photo	James Houser	7.7	4,877
	Submit photo	Kent Stevens	7.4	4,658

	Incumbents are bolded and underlined. The results have been certified. Source	Total votes: 63,114
= candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey.
If you are a candidate and would like to tell readers and voters more about why they should vote for you, complete the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection Survey.
Do you want a spreadsheet of this type of data? Contact our sales team.

Withdrawn or disqualified candidates

Craig Roberts (R)

2018

See also: West Virginia House of Delegates elections, 2018

General election

General election for West Virginia House of Delegates District 27 (3 seats)

The following candidates ran in the general election for West Virginia House of Delegates District 27 on November 6, 2018.

		Candidate	%	Votes
✔		John H. Shott (R)	23.3	9,749
✔	Submit photo	Eric Porterfield (R)	21.1	8,845
✔		Joe Ellington (R)	20.9	8,757
	Submit photo	Carol Bailey (D)	14.5	6,084
	Submit photo	Phoebe Jeffries Meadows (D)	10.1	4,224
		Lacy Watson (D)	8.1	3,391
	Submit photo	Karen White (Mountain Party)	1.9	787

	Incumbents are bolded and underlined. The results have been certified. Source	Total votes: 41,837 (100.00% precincts reporting)
= candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey.
If you are a candidate and would like to tell readers and voters more about why they should vote for you, complete the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection Survey.
Do you want a spreadsheet of this type of data? Contact our sales team.

Democratic primary election

Democratic primary for West Virginia House of Delegates District 27 (3 seats)

Carol Bailey, Phoebe Jeffries Meadows, and Lacy Watson advanced from the Democratic primary for West Virginia House of Delegates District 27 on May 8, 2018.

		Candidate	%	Votes
✔	Submit photo	Carol Bailey	42.7	2,639
✔	Submit photo	Phoebe Jeffries Meadows	30.3	1,871
✔		Lacy Watson	27.0	1,666

	There were no incumbents in this race. The results have been certified.	Total votes: 6,176
= candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey.
If you are a candidate and would like to tell readers and voters more about why they should vote for you, complete the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection Survey.
Do you want a spreadsheet of this type of data? Contact our sales team.

Republican primary election

Republican primary for West Virginia House of Delegates District 27 (3 seats)

Incumbent John H. Shott, incumbent Joe Ellington, and Eric Porterfield defeated Zane Lawhorn and Mike Swatts in the Republican primary for West Virginia House of Delegates District 27 on May 8, 2018.

		Candidate	%	Votes
✔		John H. Shott	23.8	2,226
✔		Joe Ellington	21.8	2,038
✔	Submit photo	Eric Porterfield	19.8	1,858
		Zane Lawhorn	19.8	1,850
	Submit photo	Mike Swatts	14.9	1,391

	Incumbents are bolded and underlined. The results have been certified.	Total votes: 9,363
= candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey.
If you are a candidate and would like to tell readers and voters more about why they should vote for you, complete the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection Survey.
Do you want a spreadsheet of this type of data? Contact our sales team.

2016

See also: West Virginia's 3rd Congressional District election, 2016

Heading into the election, Ballotpedia rated this race as safely Republican. Incumbent Evan Jenkins (R) defeated Matt Detch (D) and Zane Lawhorn (L) in the general election on November 8, 2016. No candidate faced a primary opponent on May 10, 2016.^[3]

**U.S. House, West Virginia District 3 General Election, 2016**
Party		Candidate	Vote %	Votes
	Republican	Evan Jenkins Incumbent	67.9%	140,741
	Democratic	Matt Detch	24%	49,708
	Libertarian	Zane Lawhorn	8.1%	16,883
Total Votes				207,332
Source: West Virginia Secretary of State

2014

See also: United States Senate elections in West Virginia, 2014

Lawhorn ran in the 2014 election for the U.S. Senate, to represent West Virginia.^[4] Lawhorn withdrew from the race.^[5]

Campaign themes

2024

Ballotpedia survey responses

Zane Lawhorn completed Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection survey in 2023. The survey questions appear in bold and are followed by Lawhorn's responses. Candidates are asked three required questions for this survey, but they may answer additional optional questions as well.

Expand all | Collapse all

Who are you? Tell us about yourself.

I am a conservative patriot running to share God's message of returning to Him through the Revival of our relationship with Jesus Christ. West Virginians need a strong leader that will represent them not more career politicians.

Please list below 3 key messages of your campaign. What are the main points you want voters to remember about your goals for your time in office?

2024 is all about returning to Jesus Christ. Without revival of the heart, America can not survive. More career politicians are not the solution, they are the PROBLEM.
Our country's future is at stake and the next senator will have to address CLOSING the BORDER, the threat of war and defend our nation against attacks here in America and from the globalists who want to destroy America.
West Virginians need someone who can be focused on serving them over the next 6 long years. Senator must be financially secure and not distracted with multiple legal issues and other distractions.

What areas of public policy are you personally passionate about?

I am passionate about many policy issues that violate God's law and invade our privacy. Our national sovereignty is being threatened every day. Inflation is creating a crisis for families struggling to make ends meet. West Virginians need a senator that will listen to their concerns and work FOR THEM. Career politicians are most concerned about their careers. This election will determine who represents West Virginia for the next SIX LONG YEARS. I am Pro-Life will will fight for the moral values this country was founded upon. Individual liberty, medical freedom, our Constitutional Rights. The Second Amendment must be defended at all costs. Many laws are already in place that must be over-turned.
The National Debt is a threat to our future prosperity and must be eliminated. And I have the solution to creating economic growth that will eliminate the national debt over the next 15 years completely. As your senator I will make the tough decisions that are unpopular because I will not run for re-election. If I can not accomplish what I want in six years the last thing I want to do is spend more time in that cesspool of Washington DC.

Who do you look up to? Whose example would you like to follow, and why?

I seek to be more like Jesus, but I fail every day. Jesus gave us the ultimate example. We need more to strive to be like Him.

Is there a book, essay, film, or something else you would recommend to someone who wants to understand your political philosophy?

If someone wants to learn more about where I stand they can pre-order my latest book which details where I stand on over 100 different issues facing our country. Visit my website to pre-order.

What characteristics or principles are most important for an elected official?

Trustworthy. As a practicing Optometric Physician I am successful because my patients know they can trust me. As a conservative Christian and a patriot the people of West Virginia can trust that I will do what is best for them.

What qualities do you possess that you believe would make you a successful officeholder?

I am a problem-solver. Every day in my practice I work to solve peoples vision and health problems.

What is the first historical event that happened in your lifetime that you remember? How old were you at the time?

The assassination of President John Kennedy when I was 5 years old. I can remember my mother screaming and crying when the news broke. I can remember the funeral. I later came to realize that he was a true American and was killed by the same evil forces in power today.

What was your very first job? How long did you have it?

Chemical Researcher. One Year, left for Optometry College

What is your favorite book? Why?

The Holy Bible. I read it through every year and it never ceases to amaze me that I learn something every day. There is no greater book for a leader to read. We learn how to lead and how to also be a servant. The Bible is my favorite book and I can't wait to read this evenings lesson!

If you could be any fictional character, who would you want to be?

Superman.

What do you perceive to be the United States’ greatest challenges as a nation over the next decade?

Our relationship with our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. IF we don't restore our relationship with our Creator and repent of our sins turning back to God's moral values. IT won't matter who gets elected or what we do. But if we return to Jesus in a Revival of repentance ALL our problems can be solved and prosperity will return.

What are your thoughts on term limits?

I support term limits and signed the pledge. I have no intentions of running for a second term. But honestly, voters have term limits already, its called the ballot box! Voters fail to impose term limits time and time again. And asking career politicians to limit their own terms and their own careers will NEVER pass. Instead, voters should just stop re-electing career politicians. That will impose term limits the way it should be. EVERY TWO YEARS. Both of my opponents are making a Career move, 2024 would be a good time to impose term limits for this Senate seat.

What qualities does the U.S. Senate possess that makes it unique as an institution?

Power to convict the President of wrongdoing.

Power to determine Supreme Court Justices along with lower court judges.

Power to represent the people and give them a voice in their government.

Do you believe that it’s beneficial for senators to have previous experience in government or politics?

IF political experience was the answer we would not be in the mess we are in! So NO, in fact the last thing we need is more career politicians. I have no political experience and I see that as an ADVANTAGE to serve the people instead of making a career out of SPENDING OTHER PEOPLE'S MONEY.

What do you think of the filibuster?

Defend it at all costs. Otherwise our Republic would become a third world democracy.

Is there a particular senator, past or present, whom you want to model yourself after?

not really.

How would you evaluate a judicial nominee?

Honesty. Trustworthy. Fairness. And most of all how well they follow the Constitution.

What kind of relationships would you build with other senators?

I will serve the people of West Virginia. I will gladly work with senators from both sides of the aisle to make life better for my people and the people of America. If that means crossing the aisle I'll do it. If that means standing in the aisle, I will do it too.

Do you believe that compromise is necessary or desirable for policymaking?

In financial and other policy making compromise is desirable. On moral grounds there can be no compromise.

How should the U.S. Senate use its investigative powers?

Investigative powers should be used when necessary. Considering the corruption in DC this could be a big job and needs to get started DAY ONE.

What criteria would you apply when deciding whether to confirm presidential appointees to their Cabinet?

Honesty. Trustworthy. Ethical. True Patriots. I have eliminated 99% already!

Note: Ballotpedia reserves the right to edit Candidate Connection survey responses. Any edits made by Ballotpedia will be clearly marked with [brackets] for the public. If the candidate disagrees with an edit, he or she may request the full removal of the survey response from Ballotpedia.org. Ballotpedia does not edit or correct typographical errors unless the candidate's campaign requests it.

Campaign finance summary

Note: The finance data shown here comes from the disclosures required of candidates and parties. Depending on the election or state, this may represent only a portion of all the funds spent on their behalf. Satellite spending groups may or may not have expended funds related to the candidate or politician on whose page you are reading this disclaimer. Campaign finance data from elections may be incomplete. For elections to federal offices, complete data can be found at the FEC website. Click here for more on federal campaign finance law and here for more on state campaign finance law.

Zane Lawhorn campaign contribution history
Year	Office	Status	Contributions	Expenditures
2024*	U.S. Senate West Virginia	Lost primary	$0	N/A**
2022	U.S. House West Virginia District 1	Lost primary	$21,440	$20,952
2018	West Virginia House of Delegates District 27	Lost primary	$11,772	N/A**
Grand total			$33,211	$20,952
Sources: OpenSecrets, Federal Elections Commission *This product uses the openFEC API but is not endorsed or certified by the Federal Election Commission (FEC).
* Data from this year may not be complete
** Data on expenditures is not available for this election cycle
Note: Totals above reflect only available data.

External links

Search Google News for this topic

Candidate

U.S. Senate West Virginia

Website

Facebook

Personal

Facebook

Footnotes

↑ Williamson Daily News, "2 US House primary election races crowded in West Virginia," February 17, 2022
↑ Facebook, "IAMwithZane," accessed April 7, 2018
↑ West Virginia Secretary of State, "Candidate Listing By Office," accessed February 2, 2016
↑ Cite error: Invalid <ref> tag; no text was provided for refs named run
↑ Cite error: Invalid <ref> tag; no text was provided for refs named out

[show]

West Virginia's current delegation to the United States Congress

Senators

Shelley Capito (R)

Jim Justice (R)

Representatives

District 1

Carol Miller (R)

District 2

Riley Moore (R)

Republican Party (4)

[bio-1] Williamson Daily News, "2 US House primary election races crowded in West Virginia," February 17, 2022

[OldBio-2] Facebook, "IAMwithZane," accessed April 7, 2018

[list-3] West Virginia Secretary of State, "Candidate Listing By Office," accessed February 2, 2016

[run-4] Cite error: Invalid <ref> tag; no text was provided for refs named run

[out-5] Cite error: Invalid <ref> tag; no text was provided for refs named out

[1]

[2]

[3]

[4]

[5]

	v • e State of West Virginia Charleston (capital)
Elections	What's on my ballot? \| Elections in 2025 \| How to vote \| How to run for office \| Ballot measures
Government	Who represents me? \| U.S. President \| U.S. Congress \| Federal courts \| State executives \| State legislature \| State and local courts \| Counties \| Cities \| School districts \| Public policy

Zane Lawhorn

Biography

Elections

2024

General election

General election for U.S. Senate West Virginia

Withdrawn or disqualified candidates

Democratic primary election

Democratic primary for U.S. Senate West Virginia

Withdrawn or disqualified candidates

Republican primary election

Republican primary for U.S. Senate West Virginia

Endorsements

2022

General election

General election for U.S. House West Virginia District 1

Democratic primary election

Democratic primary for U.S. House West Virginia District 1

Republican primary election

Republican primary for U.S. House West Virginia District 1

Withdrawn or disqualified candidates

2018

General election

General election for West Virginia House of Delegates District 27 (3 seats)

Democratic primary election

Democratic primary for West Virginia House of Delegates District 27 (3 seats)

Republican primary election

Republican primary for West Virginia House of Delegates District 27 (3 seats)

2016

2014

Campaign themes

2024

Ballotpedia survey responses

Campaign finance summary

See also

2022

External links

Footnotes

Information about voting

2025 Elections

2026 Elections

2024 Election analysis

Trending

Public Policy

Information for candidates

Get Engaged

Services

Additional analysis

SITE NAVIGATION