J.T. Thomas Launches Campaign in Wheeling Mayoral Race
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WHEELING - Lifelong Wheeling resident J.T. Thomas officially launched his campaign on Monday in the race to become the city’s next mayor.
Thomas was joined by friends, family members, local business owners and others Monday morning at Heritage Port for his official announcement declaring his candidacy. Wintry weather did not deter the group of supporters from rallying around the mayoral hopeful, who noted that the venue was intentionally selected to showcase some of the city’s most valuable resources - such as the waterfront, Interstate 70, historic landmarks like the Wheeling Suspension Bridge, and the public and private investments taking place that promise to reinvigorate downtown.
Highlighting those assets and showcasing Wheeling’s potential will be a key to the city’s future, Thomas indicated.
"We have so many resources, and with the right leadership, I think we can prosper," he said. "You’ve got the waterfront. You’ve got Interstate 70 with easy access, the park system, we’ve got the best schools around."
Currently a commercial insurance agent with Glessner, Wharton & Andrews Insurance LLC, Thomas served for 26 years as coordinator of Sports Physical Therapy at Wheeling Hospital. He is a graduate of Wheeling Central Catholic High School and Wheeling Jesuit University. He lives with his family in Woodsdale.
"My wife and I have thought about it for a long time," Thomas said of his bid for public office. "I’ve been here all my life. I’ve prospered in two careers now here in Wheeling. I’ve taken on many leadership roles, and I think as mayor, that’s the most important role - to lead the city in the right direction. We decided that this could be a vehicle where we could showcase our talents and give back to the community that we love so dearly."
Thomas and his wife, Tara, have two sons: Jett, 22, and Colton, 20.
"We have the time now to dedicate to the community that has given us and brought us so much," he explained.
His aspirations to serve stem back even further, Thomas said. His father - Ohio Valley Athletic Conference Hall of Fame Coach Jim Thomas - had a big impact on his perspective of the community.
Wheeling resident J.T. Thomas was joined by family, friends, business owners, educators and other supporters Monday morning at Heritage Port, where he officially announced his candidacy in the city’s 2024 mayoral race. (Photo by Eric Ayres)
"My father and mother, Paula, positively impacted the lives of hundreds of Wheeling’s youths," Thomas said. "Now it’s my time to give back."
The elder Thomas, who passed away in 2005, had coached football for Wheeling Central and Wheeling Park, mentoring generations of city natives. Candidate Thomas likened Wheeling to a football team with all of the right players in place in terms of its assets.
"We just need a quarterback to take us to the promised land, and I’m the guy," he said.
Current Wheeling Central Head Coach Mike Young and Wheeling Park High School Football Coach and Athletic Director Chris Daugherty agreed. Both men joined the gathering Monday to support Thomas during his announcement.
"J.T. Is one of us," Young said. "He is a common sense guy. He’s not there for the attention. J.T. Is running because he cares about the city and wants it to be successful."
Daugherty introduced Thomas during Monday morning’s event, describing Thomas as a "great friend" of 35 years or more.
"I can tell you, his family has truly cared for this community," Daugherty said. "There’s a lot of people out there who will roll up their sleeves, but maybe don’t have a vision. There’s a lot of people who have a vision, but aren’t willing to roll up their sleeves. J.T. checks both of those boxes, and even more. He’s a guy that can lead, can create a team and is a problem solver."
The two head coaches were joined by Ohio County Schools Assistant Superintendent Rick Jones, family members, friends and a number of local business leaders holding signs of support for Thomas.
"I plan to focus on three key areas - economic growth, improvement in infrastructure and transparency in city government," Thomas said, explaining the foundation of his campaign. "You look at the potential around here. I want to highlight our resources, which I feel are somewhat underused and underappreciated. I really want to lead us in the right direction and to bring everybody together on the same path, rowing in the same direction so that we can prosper and use what we have. Because we have a gem here."
Wheeling Central Catholic High School Head Football Coach Mike Young and Wheeling Park High School Head Football Coach and Athletic Director Christ Daugherty, from left, greet J.T. Thomas Monday morning at Heritage Port, where Thomas kicked off his campaign to become the next mayor of the city of Wheeling. (Photo by Eric Ayres)
The riverfront is an underused resource that needs to be developed, Thomas said.
"We need to make this a priority so we can attract businesses and investors to the city to make this what it can be," he said, noting that Wheeling needs to continue in its role as a destination for entertainment, new businesses and commerce.
The city needs to close its chapter of being home to empty old storefronts and structures, he indicated.
"There are so many buildings that are not being used and are dilapidating in front of our eyes," he said. "That has to stop. It’s either improve it or remove it. It has to be done. The time is now."
Thomas said transparency in public office means both listening to the public and letting the public know what’s going on - including with the ongoing Downtown Streetscape Project, which he said needs to be expedited.
"Small businesses fuel this city’s economy, and its leaders must do a better job of supporting them," he said.
If elected, Thomas said he will hold regular meetings to provide updates on construction progress and traffic patterns, and will listen to local business owners who have suggestions on what the city can do better.
"We need input," Thomas said. "We need everyone to be on board and rowing in the same direction. I want to be accountable as mayor, and I want to hold city council accountable.
"But I can’t do this alone. It’s got to be a ‘we’ situation. ‘We’ is 1,000 times stronger than ‘me.’ It’s time to put the ‘we’ back in Wheeling."
Thomas enters what suddenly became a crowded race for the mayor’s seat. Three candidates - former Greater Wheeling Sports and Entertainment Authority Executive Director Denny Magruder, Councilwoman Rosemary Ketchum and Vice Mayor Chad Thalman - announced their candidacy for the mayoral race last year. Three more candidates - Thomas and fellow Wheeling residents Carl Carpenter and Beth Hinebaugh - just recently entered the race during the final week before the filing deadline.
Unless any more certificates of announcement are received by mail and postmarked on or before Jan. 27, the contest to become Wheeling’s next mayor promises to be a six-person race.
The municipal election will take place in conjunction with the West Virginia primary election on May 14. Those elected to city council - including the new mayor and six ward council representatives - will begin four-year terms in July.
Wheeling resident J.T. Thomas was joined by family, friends, business owners, educators and other supporters Monday morning at Heritage Port, where he officially announced his candidacy in the city’s 2024 mayoral race. (Photo by Eric Ayres)