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WEIRTON - Pat McGeehan held off a challenge from a political newcomer Tuesday to be elected to another term in the West Virginia House of Delegates.
McGeehan, the Republican incumbent, received 3,663 votes - or 70.82 percent of the turnout - compared to Democratic challenger Quincy Wilson, who received 1,509 votes, or 29.18 percent, according to unofficial results released Tuesday night.
"There’s a lot of work to be done," McGeehan said, noting he has several projects and pieces of legislation in development to benefit both the Northern Panhandle and West Virginia as a whole. "I’m grateful to be able to see them through."
Among the areas he has discussed includes efforts to restore Hancock County Schools to financial independence, improving the conditions of secondary roads in the district, and the establishment of a four-year military college in West Virginia.
He also hopes to find ways to provide better support for individuals helping to care for their elderly parents or grandparents.
A Chester native, McGeehan is a graduate of Oak Glen High School and the U.S. Air Force Academy. He is in his fourth year as dean of students at Madonna High School, where he teaches history, philosophy, and political science, and serves as the majority leader in the House of Delegates.
He holds a bachelor’s degree in history from the Air Force Academy, a master’s degree in philosophy from Franciscan University of Steubenville, and a Ph.D. In philosophy from Duquesne University.
He is a lifetime member of the Veterans of Foreign Wars, and attends Sacred Heart in Chester and St. Joseph the Worker Parish in Weirton.
"I very much appreciate the support," McGeehan said. "It’s time to get back to work."
Wilson is a graduate of Weir High School and attended West Virginia University.
A Kennedy Award recipient in high school, he became the first football player in state history to rush for more than 3,000 yards in a single season, while also scoring 47 touchdowns. He was selected in the seventh round of the 2004 NFL draft by the Atlanta Falcons, and later signed with the Cincinnati Bengals.
In recent years, he has worked in public education and has served as a football coach at both the high school and collegiate levels.
Both McGeehan and Wilson were unopposed in their respective primary elections in May.
District 1 includes the majority of Hancock County and a portion of Brooke County.
(Howell can be contacted at chowell@weirtondailytimes.com)