The Wood County primary will be a potential political comeback for one of two Democrats running for County Assessor.

Jimmy Colombo and Gene Knotts are former Parkersburg mayors, and, before he became mayor, Knotts was a long-time assessor. He hasn't held political office since Colombo became his successor as mayor in 1998. The winner will face Rich Shaffer for the office Steve Grimm is vacating.

Sheriff Ken Merritt, a Republican, will face opposition in the fall by Democrat Jeff Sandy. Sandy was to be opposed by former Circuit Judge George Hill, who dropped out of the race last month. Democrat Michele Rusen and Republican Jason Wharton are unopposed to succeed Ginny Conley as County Prosecutor.

This is the first year Parkersburg city offices are up during the presidential election year, thanks to a change in the city's charter.

"The voters in Parkersburg will go to their same polling places," says City Clerk Connie Shaffer. "They're going in May this year to get on line with the national ticket. In additon to voting for a mayor and city council, the ballot will show the national, state and county offices as well. That's the major difference."

Mayor Bob Newell is not challenged for the Democratic nomination, but Parkersburg City Council has some interesting races, including one re-matching a long-time councilman, Dorsey Cheuvront, against a challenger, Sharon Lynch, who lost a recount to him in the 2005 primary. No Republican filed for Cheuvront's District 2.

Two other incumbents, Sharyn Tallman and Demo Dukas, also face primary election challenges. Dukas faces Julia Monroe, John Beary and Sherry Dugan, with the winner facing Republican W. James Reed in November. Tallman, a two-term Republican, faces Joseph Backus. No Democrat filed in District 5. Councilman James Myers is opposed by Steven D. Whitehair, Jr. for the Democratic nomination in council district 4. John Sandy is the lone Republican candidate.

And the Mid-Ohio Valley Transit Authority hopes voters will continue a levy to continue bus service in both Parkersburg and Vienna, at a time when rising gas prices have resulted in a rise in ridership.

"The last two months, it's been significant," says transit system manager Joe Lockhart. "The increase in April was almost five percent."

As always, Parkersburg and Vienna voters have to approve the levy separately.

Four candidates, including two incumbents, are on the ballot as well for the Wood County Board of Education.

Current member John Marlow is a candidate for board district A, while board member Tim Yeater is up from re-election from district B. Larry Godfrey and Amy Jo Cokeley are candidates from district B. The top vote-getters from districts A and B are elected.