West Virginia officials are blaming superstorm Sandy for five deaths, including a state legislative candidate.

A son of John Rose Sr. said a falling tree limb killed the 60-year-old Tuesday afternoon as he checked fences on his Barbour County deer farm.


Rose was a Republican running in the 47th House of Delegates district. His death triggers a special write-in candidate filing period.


Rose will remain on the ballot. If he were to win, the governor would appoint one of three replacements recommended by a GOP committee. He was challenging House Education Chair Mary Poling, a Democrat. Just more than 930 county voters had cast early in-person or absentee ballots by Wednesday.


Barbour County Emergency Services director Cindy Hart said a second Barbour County man died in a separate accident while shoveling snow at his home. Hart said both men died Tuesday.


The storm was also blamed for the death of a 40-year-old woman whose car collided with a cement truck Monday in Tucker County.