Harrison County Election Recap: Voters Decide County Commission, Legislative Races and Local Levies

CLARKSBURG, W.Va. — Harrison County voters delivered decisions in several closely watched races during Tuesday's general election, returning Susan Thomas to the County Commission, electing Steve Johnson as circuit clerk and selecting representatives for the West Virginia Legislature.

The November 3 election also saw voters approve continued funding for community health services and libraries, reject a proposed historic preservation levy and support a statewide constitutional amendment.

With all 65 Harrison County precincts reporting, the results remain unofficial until the county completes its canvass, scheduled for November 9.

Democrat Susan Thomas secured another term on the Harrison County Commission, defeating Republican Martin Howe. Thomas received 9,455 votes, or approximately 54.1 percent, compared with Howe's 8,035 votes.

In the race for Harrison County circuit clerk, Republican Steve Johnson defeated Democrat Doug Cornelius, who had been serving in the position following the death of longtime Circuit Clerk Albert Marano earlier this year.

Johnson received 9,476 votes, or approximately 54.4 percent, compared with 7,934 votes for Cornelius. Johnson will serve the remainder of Marano's unexpired term.

Several legislative races also drew considerable attention throughout Harrison County.

Republican State Senator Ben Queen won reelection in the 12th Senatorial District, defeating Democrat Lynette Murray and securing another four-year term representing Harrison, Taylor, Lewis, Gilmer and Calhoun counties. Queen received approximately 59 percent of the vote in Harrison County and more than 62 percent districtwide.

In the House of Delegates, Republican Danny Hamrick retained the 69th District seat, receiving 2,971 votes compared with 1,729 for Democrat Jocelyn Blackwell.

Democrat Shannon Welsh won the 70th District race against Republican Paul J. Howe III, receiving 2,258 votes compared with Howe's 1,631.

Republican Tim McNeely won the 71st District contest over Democrat Robert Garcia in one of the closer legislative races locally. McNeely received 2,983 votes compared with 2,613 for Garcia.

Republican Clay Riley also won reelection in the 72nd District without opposition.

Beyond the candidates, Harrison County voters considered two funding proposals that will affect community organizations and services over the next several years.

The Community Health Organizations Levy was approved with 72.42 percent support. The measure is expected to generate approximately $1.4 million annually for public health services, libraries and county community projects.

The levy will support the Clarksburg-Harrison Health Department, three public libraries and the Harrison County Commission's special projects fund.

A separate proposal to provide dedicated funding for historic preservation organizations received majority support but failed to reach the 60 percent approval threshold required for passage.

The Historical Preservation Alliance Levy received 9,961 votes in favor, or 57.89 percent, leaving it just over two percentage points short of approval.

The proposal would have provided funding for 13 historical and cultural organizations throughout Harrison County, including museums, historic properties and preservation groups.

In federal races, Republican U.S. Sen. Shelley Moore Capito won reelection, defeating Democrat Rachel Fetty Anderson and Constitution Party candidate S. Marshall Wilson.

Republican Congressman Riley Moore also secured another term representing West Virginia's 2nd Congressional District, defeating Democrat Ace Parsi.

Harrison County voters also supported Amendment 1, a constitutional amendment explicitly establishing a citizenship requirement for voting in West Virginia elections. Approximately 80 percent of county voters supported the measure, which also received overwhelming support statewide.

The November election determined representation at several levels of government, from the Harrison County Courthouse to the West Virginia Legislature and Congress.

The results also established the future of several local funding programs, with voters supporting continued investments in public health and community services while declining to establish a new dedicated levy for historic preservation.

All election results remain unofficial pending the completion of canvassing and certification.

Residents interested in reviewing election information can visit the West Virginia Secretary of State's official election website.