Preston County · Government
County Government
Verification Status
Preston County — verified against primary sources
- Last Verified
- July 13, 2026
Data coverage
- VerifiedBasic information
- VerifiedLocal government
- VerifiedElected representation
- VerifiedCommunity
- VerifiedCivic information & meetings
- VerifiedInfrastructure & data
- PendingLegislation
- PendingCommunity projects
- PendingLocal news
- PendingEmergency contacts
How we verify information
A county may be Partially Verified even when every displayed fact is confirmed — pending categories track information we're still working to source.
County governmentWho governs this county
County government
Who governs this county
Official county government
www.prestoncountywv.gov
Don SmithCounty CommissionerView full profile →
Don Smith
County Commissioner
Samantha StoneCounty CommissionerView full profile →
Samantha Stone
County Commissioner
Hunter ThomasCounty CommissionerView full profile →
Hunter Thomas
County Commissioner
Scott SpikerSheriff & Treasurer
Scott Spiker
Sheriff & Treasurer
James E. Shay Jr.Prosecuting AttorneyView full profile →
James E. Shay Jr.
Prosecuting Attorney
Linda HugginsCounty ClerkView full profile →
Linda Huggins
County Clerk
Lisa LeishmanCircuit ClerkView full profile →
Lisa Leishman
Circuit Clerk
David J. Nestor IIAssessor
David J. Nestor II
Assessor
Michael HovatterBoard of Education Member
Michael Hovatter
Board of Education Member
Cross KisnerBoard of Education Member
Cross Kisner
Board of Education Member
Shelley MillerBoard of Education Member
Shelley Miller
Board of Education Member
Lucas TathamBoard of Education Member
Lucas Tatham
Board of Education Member
Jeff ZigrayBoard of Education Member
Jeff Zigray
Board of Education Member
Brad MartinSuperintendent
Brad Martin
Superintendent
How county government works
What each office actually does.
- County Commission
- Sets the county budget, levies, and ordinances; oversees county property and most county offices.
- County Clerk
- Keeps land records, marriage licenses, wills, and runs voter registration and elections.
- Circuit Clerk
- Keeps circuit court records, manages jury selection, and files court documents.
- Assessor
- Values property for tax purposes and maintains property maps and records.
- Sheriff
- Chief law enforcement officer and county treasurer — collects property taxes.
- Prosecuting Attorney
- Prosecutes crimes on behalf of the county and advises county offices on legal questions.
- Board of Education
- Governs the county school district and hires the superintendent.
County Commission
What is a magisterial district?
West Virginia county commissioners are elected by voters across the county. Magisterial districts are different: they are geographic districts tied to where commissioners must live, and no two commissioners may be elected from the same magisterial district. A commissioner from your district is not your only commissioner — the commission serves the county as a whole.
The useful distinction: your address can tell you which magisterial district you live in and which commissioner, if our district data is verified, resides in that same district. It does not mean you may only contact that commissioner.
Preston County commissioners
Don Smith
District label not yet verified
Samantha Stone
District label not yet verified
Hunter Thomas
District label not yet verified
Show up, speak upPublic meetings
Show up, speak up
Public meetings
Elections & voting
TransparencySources & verification
Transparency
Sources & verification
| Section | Source | Last verified |
|---|---|---|
| Basic information | U.S. Census Bureau (opens in a new tab) | 2026-07-13 |
| Local government | Preston County (opens in a new tab) | 2026-07-13 |
| Elected representation | West Virginia Legislature — 2026 Membership Directory (opens in a new tab) | 2026-07-13 |
| Community profile | Preston County (opens in a new tab) | 2026-07-13 |
| Civic information | Preston County Commission & County Clerk (opens in a new tab) | 2026-07-13 |
| Infrastructure | WV Department of Transportation (opens in a new tab) | 2026-07-13 |