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MOUNDSVILLE -- Marshall County voters will have plenty of candidates to consider for a variety of races including sheriff, board of education and more during the Tuesday's primary election.
MARSHALL COUNTY SHERIFF'S RACE
Incumbent Marshall County Sheriff Bill Helms is facing a challenge from Mt. Olivet resident Mike Dougherty, who retired in 2023 from the sheriff's department after 25 years of service, and Moundsville resident Ed Coster, a retired former state penitentiary guard.
Helms, 54, of Glen Easton said he has 30 years of law enforcement experience. If re-elected, Helms said he will continue to build upon what he has already accomplished at the department, and make improvements as needed.
"The people were good enough to put me in last time. I have delivered professional, effective results at the sheriff's office," Helms said. "I've bolstered school security with more school resource officers. I've taken a big step with technology at the sheriff's office. And we'll have a full staff soon. Things are bright for the Marshall County Sheriff's Office."
Helms was first elected in 2020 and took office in 2021. Previously he worked as a chief deputy under former sheriff Kevin Cecil, he said. Helms and his wife, Jeanette, have two sons, Matt and Aaron, and four grandchildren with one grandchild on the way.
Dougherty, 50, said early in his career he decided to run for the sheriff's position after his retirement. If elected, he plans to make changes to the department to better use its manpower and to improve relations with the community.
He also wants to restart the department's special task force, which he said has taken a hiatus since the COVID-19 pandemic.
"The sheriff's office has been run pretty much the same my entire career," he said. "It's not necessarily all bad, but the problems we have now - the staff wants to see change."
For example, Dougherty said a change in how staff is allocated will allow deputies to become more visible, thus helping to deter crime. He also believes more deputies can be deployed during afternoon and nighttime hours.
"I want transparency with the public. I want my guys to feel they are part of something instead of worrying about not dotting their I's and crossing their T's on a report," he added.
Dougherty said he has spent his entire career with the sheriff's department, starting there in 1999. This, he believes, gives him a better grasp on its inner workings.
Doughtery and his wife Carrie have four daughters together: Megan, Annie, Reese and Josie. They own a farm in Mt. Olivet and a business, Carrie's Catering.
Coster could not be reached for comment.
MARSHALL COUNTY BOARD OF EDUCATION RACE
Marshall County Board of Education President John Miller and Adam Truex both are seeking a spot on the board out of District 3, while board member Lori Kestner is seeking reelection out of District 1. Each of the three Marshall County magisterial districts must have at least one representative on the board, but they cannot have more than two.
Kestner is the only candidate to file in District 1, so she automatically wins reelection. The term of board member Brenda Coffield, who lives in District 3, doesn't expire until 2026, so Miller and Truex will compete for the other District 3 spot.
Miller, 77, of Moundsville said he is seeking re-election to the board because there is much work to oversee and complete in the district. For example, major building projects happening including an addition and renovation at Washington Lands Elementary School. Construction of a new Sand Hill Elementary School also is under way. Work on a new natatorium is gearing up at John Marshall High School. Plans to build a new Benwood-McMechen School also are under way.
"From my standpoint, a lot of good things are happening. We've lowered the excess levy six times since I've been on the board," Miller said.
Miller was first elected to the board in 2012 and he is now in his 12th year of service.
"Our board decisions are based on what's best for the students. We make every decision on what's best for our students," he said. "In my time on the board, the music programs have flourished. ... Good things are happening."
Miller, a graduate of Moundsville High School, received his bachelor's degree in biology and math from West Liberty State College, and a master's degree from West Virginia University in math education.
Miller is the current president of the Marshall County Board of Education. Before retiring in 2010, he taught math at Moundsville Junior High, Vandevender Junior High in Parkersburg and at John Marshall High School for 38 years, including 16 years of summer school.
Truex, 49, of Glen Dale said this is his third time running for the board of education. If not elected, he said it will also be his final time running for the seat.
"I'm a veteran and I'm passionate about public education," Truex said. "I've worked over in Ohio for public schools for 24 years so I have a lot of experience serving public schools in Ohio."
Truex has worked as executive director of Ohio Mid-Eastern Education Service Agency for 24 years. He is a veteran of the Navy, having served eight years on active duty and 13 years in the active reserves.
He said there are aspects of education in Marshall County that need to be improved upon. He said he is committed to the following: "more transparency on the millions of dollars spent on county projects, safe and productive classrooms, improved pay and benefits packages for teachers and service personnel, additional substitute teachers and classroom aides, increased student enrollment and improved state assessment scores, and serving the best interest of children."
If elected, Truex said he will focus on retaining and attracting good personnel for the district, adding it should have the "best and brightest."
"I also want to make sure parents are heard. I don't know if they do enough now to represent parents and their concerns right now," he said. "I think we need a newer, fresher perspective now. As a candidate I want to bring that to the table. ... I want to help the kids in Marshall County get a better education."
Truex and his wife Trish have two children together, Austin and Madison.
MARSHALL COUNTY MAGISTRATE RACE
Voters will have three candidates to choose from for the Marshall County Magistrate Judge seat for Division 1. Incumbent Magistrate Judge Mark Kerwood is seeking re-election to the position. He has two challengers: Kevin Cecil and Brandy Whitlach.
MUNICIPAL RACES:
In the city of Glen Dale, voters will be asked to choose three people to fill seats on City Council. Vying for the seats are incumbent Councilmen Larry English and Eric Cunningham. Challengers for the seats are Russ Neihaus and Mike McCoy. Councilman John Zinn, whose term ends June 30, is not seeking re-election.
In the city of Cameron, voters will be asked to choose one person to fill a council seat in Ward 2. Incumbent Councilwoman Sarah Burge is seeking re-election to her seat. Her challenger is P. Brooke Francis.
UNCONTESTED RACES
-- Marshall County Commission President Mike Ferro, a Democrat, has no primary challenger. However, Dave McLaughlin, director of public works and development in Benwood, filed for commissioner on the Republican ticket.
-- Marshall County Prosecutor Joe Canestraro is running unopposed.
-- Marshall County Assessor Eric Buzzard is running unopposed.
-- For Conservation District Supervisor, David McCardle is running unopposed in the non-partisan race.
-- In the city of Benwood, there are no contested races for mayor or council seats.