FOLLANSBEE – A race for mayor between incumbent David Velegol Jr. and challenger David Secrist, who serves as the city’s 2nd Ward councilman, was a key reason city residents turned out for Follansbee’s primary election Tuesday.

Velegol emerged the winner on Tuesday, garnering 260 votes, while Secrist received 163.

The two will advance to the city’s June 9 general election.

“I’m very pleased with the support I received,” said Velegol, who said he made door-to-door visits with residents before the primary and will do so again. But he said the best way he can encourage voters’ support is by “doing my job to the best of my ability.”

“It has been a tough couple of years with diverse opinions and people taking sides and I’ve tried to keep the peace,” Velegol said.

He said he’s always willing to hear different opinions but believes city officials should focus on working together to improve the city.

“I’m all about teamwork. To me, there’s nothing more important, and I’m hoping everyone will work together in this next term,” Velegol said.

Secrist said of Tuesday’s results, “I’ve got some ground to make up, but I still believe in the people of Follansbee and I think I can do it.”

He said he chose to seek the mayor’s post, instead of re-election to the 1st Ward seat, because he has the time now to serve in a greater capacity.

Secrist said he’s managed to connect with residents and serve the city through weekly litter collections he’s organized with another council member.

In other races, voters supported a mix of familiar and new candidates.

Third Ward Councilwoman Kathy Santoro received 61 votes, while challenger Ben Arthurs received 25.

“I sincerely thank residents for their trust and faith in me,” said Santoro, who added she’s tried to be accessible to residents.

“That’s what we’re here for. We’re here to help them and get things done for them.”

Challenger Rudy Cipriani, a former mayor, councilman and city clerk, received 49 votes in his bid for the 4th Ward council seat, while incumbent Iris Ferrell received 31.

Cipriani thanked all who supported him. He said since the election didn’t decide any races and it rained, turnout was low but he’s hopeful more residents will participate in the general election.

He said with warmer weather and more daylight ahead, he plans to go door to door to meet with residents.

Challenger Scott McMahon, a former city councilman running for the 5th Ward council seat, received 88 votes, while incumbent Tom Ludewig received 35 votes.

McMahon said his ward includes both long-time residents and many young families who are new to the city, and he’s tried to reach out to both.

“For a primary and considering the (rainy) weather, it was a nice showing. I thank everyone who supported me and everyone who turned out to vote,” he said.

And in the race for council at large, challenger John Casinelli, a former city councilman and Brooke County commissioner, received 272 votes, while Dominic Micucci received 142 votes. Micucci, who also has served on the city’s water board, was appointed to the seat after Jim Andreozzi resigned to serve as county commissioner.

“We know we still have to work for Round 2,” Casinelli said. “We’re just glad to see we have great support out there,” he added.

Like the mayoral candidates, all will advance to the general election. All totals are unofficial until ballots are canvassed at 5:30 p.m. Monday.

Candidates for the 1st and 2nd Ward council seats and other city offices were unchallenged.

City Clerk David Kurcina said about 25 percent of the city’s registered voters turned out for the primary.

Meanwhile in Weirton, incumbent Weirton Mayor George Kondik will face challenger Harold “Bubba” Miller in the city’s June 9 general election after they finished first and second in Tuesday’s primary voting.

Unofficial results showed Kondik with 1,356 votes and Miller with 1,259 votes. Eliminated from the race after Tuesday’s voting were Nick Fuscardo, who received 389 votes and Karen Harris, who received 124 votes.

The top two finishers in each of Tuesday’s contested races will advance to the general election.

Weirton vote totals will not become official until Friday’s canvass, scheduled to begin at 9 a.m. in Room 201 of the Municipal Building. At that time, the city will review all challenged ballots as well as ballots cast provisionally, which were not included in Tuesday’s vote totals.

The Weirton Transit levy failed to gain the 60 percent vote it needed Tuesday, with 1,493 in favor and 1,136 against. The proposed 5-percent levy would have gone toward assisting with operations costs.

Also Tuesday, city residents voted 1,813 to 807 to make the city clerk a regular hired position. The clerk has been appointed by the mayor for a four-year term that ran concurrent with members of City Council. There would be no term limits on the job, City Manager Valerie Means explained. The city clerk serves as the chief election officer for all municipal elections.

In other voting:

— Challenger Doug Jackson, with 375 votes, and incumbent George Gaughenbaugh, with 282 votes, advanced to the June election in the race for the Ward 5 council seat. Scott Robertson finished third with 125 votes and was eliminated.

— In Ward 1, Tim Connell claimed 180 votes against incumbent Bill Zanieski, who took 130 votes.

— In Ward 3, incumbent Fred Marsh claimed 189 votes while Ronnie Jones received 67.

— In Ward 7, incumbent Terry Weigel received 252 votes while challenger Shanon Scheutzner claimed 195 votes.

— Unopposed were Ward 2 Councilman Chuck Wright with 247 votes and Ward 4 Councilman George Ash Sr. with 137 votes.

— In Ward 6, Enzo Fracasso claimed 273 votes. Current Ward 6 Councilwoman Angelina Dickson withdrew from the election, but her decision came too late for her name to be removed from the primary ballot.