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WHEELING - As the dust settles on the 2024 municipal election in Wheeling, a changing of the guard in a little over a month will see three current members stepping away from their roles on city council.
Mayor Glenn Elliott's future is set. After being term-limited out of office, he won the Democratic nomination for the U.S. Senate seat being vacated by the retiring Sen. Joe Manchin, D-W.Va. He'll face Gov. Jim Justice, who won the Republican nomination.
Wheeling Vice Mayor Chad Thalman and Councilwoman Rosemary Ketchum fell short in their bids to replace Elliott as mayor - Denny Magruder won that seat Tuesday - but both said Wednesday they'll still live in Wheeling and do anything they can to move the city forward into what is poised to be a promising future.
Thalman and Ketchum have been active and outspoken members of council, Thalman for two terms as Ward 1's representative and Ketchum for one term in Ward 3. To run for mayor, they had to give up their council seats, so instead of taking the gavel in July they instead will pack up their nameplates and exit their posts.
Yet they don't plan on fading away anytime soon.
"I ran for city council eight years ago to help Wheeling, and I'll continue to help in any way I can," Thalman said Wednesday. "I never planned on being a career politician - always knew I'd step aside at some point."
There are three more regular city council meetings scheduled before the new council is sworn in for the next four-year term beginning July 1. The current council’s last meeting is scheduled to be held on June 18.
"After July, I would like to remain involved in the ongoing 2024 Comprehensive Planning efforts, as well continuing to focus on Centre Market advancements as an appointed commission member following the end of my term, if council permits," Ketchum said on Wednesday. "I will also continue celebrating my great neighborhood of South Wheeling while restoring my historic home on Eoff Street."
Following Tuesday’s election, both Thalman and Ketchum took to their social media pages to thank their supporters. Both candidates issued public concessions to Magruder and heartfelt statements of support for him, which many of their followers described as "classy" gestures that showed grace in the face of tough and disappointing defeats.
"The people have spoken, and although the outcome was not the one that I had hoped for, I am deeply honored to have participated in this contest and to have served as your vice mayor these last eight years," Thalman wrote. "A sincere thank-you to those who supported me in this campaign and throughout my time in office. I am eternally grateful to you all.
"And last but certainly not least, congratulations to Mayor-elect Denny Magruder," he continued. "I wish him and the new council much success in leading Wheeling forward into a bold new future. I am confident that the city is in good hands."
Thalman said he was "extremely proud" of all city council has accomplished during his tenure and the "strong foundation" that was laid for continued growth and positive change in the city.
"I am convinced that our wonderful city is poised for greatness, and I am truly excited about the possibilities," he said.
"(Tuesday night), the people of Wheeling have spoken - we have elected a new mayor and have revealed a change in the status quo that the Ketchum campaign is proud to be part of," Ketchum wrote. "With genuine warmth, we extend our congratulations to Mayor-elect Denny Magruder and his team. Mayor Magruder ran a campaign of unity and togetherness - speaking often of working with those who believe in the future of Wheeling."
Ketchum noted that while her campaign took second place in the election, more than half of Wheeling’s voters "found a voice in the Magruder and Ketchum campaigns," which combined accounted for more than 60% of the vote in the six-way race.
"My hope is that this will allow us to indeed join together to make Wheeling a better city and continue to inspire and engage a generation of neighbors excited for change," Ketchum said.
Thalman has served as the Ward 1 city councilman since 2016, representing the neighborhoods of Warwood, North Park and the upper portion of Glenwood. His successor will be fellow Warwood resident Tony Assaro, who claimed victory Tuesday in the race for the open Ward 1 council seat.
Ketchum has served as the Ward 3 council representative on Wheeling City Council since 2020, providing a voice for the neighborhoods of East Wheeling, Center Wheeling, South Wheeling and Mozart. Taking her seat as Ward 3 councilman in July will be Mozart will most likely be resident Jerome "Jake" Henry, who was the top vote-getter Tuesday in a tight race to claim the open seat. Unofficial election results from Ohio County - which will be canvassed on Monday - had Henry beating candidate Connie Cain of East Wheeling by just two votes in a four-way race.