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Editor’s note: Due to a reporter’s error, the print version of this story that appeared in Wednesday’s edition of The Intelligencer and Wheeling News-Register contained early vote totals and not final numbers. This story has been updated with final totals for both candidates. Rucki also led the Marshall County ticket in total number of votes for any single candidate.
MOUNDSVILLE - Marshall County Circuit Clerk Joe Rucki won re-election to his seat during Tuesday's election.
According to unofficial vote totals, Rucki received 6,274 votes while his challenger, Donna (Kobasko) Crow, received 2,917 votes. Rucki led the Marshall County ticket with the highest level of support for any individual candidate.
Following the vote tally, Rucki said he was happy with the results.
"Not so much even for myself, but for my staff. I have a very good staff and these girls are all going to get to keep their jobs for six years," he said.
"I want to thank the voters of Marshall County. A sincere thank you for the amount of votes I received."
Rucki, a Republican, has served in the clerk's office since 1988, when he was appointed as chief deputy by David Ealy. He took over as circuit clerk in 2017 after running unopposed in the 2016 election.
Rucki has credited his office staff for the smooth operation of the circuit clerk's office, and expects conditions to improve even further as the staff grows more experienced.
A lifelong resident of Marshall County, Rucki grew up in Benwood and was a member of John Marshall High School's first graduating class. He now lives in McMechen with his wife of 36 years, Soozie Zeakes Rucki.
Rucki has worked in excess of 225 jury trials and 96 grand juries. He also served seven Second Judicial Circuit Judges in Marshall County as well as a number of visiting judges including two circuit judges who had served on the West Virginia Supreme Court of Appeals. Rucki attended 20 seminars held by the West Virginia Supreme Court Administration Department which included training in leadership.