VIENNA - Months after saying he did not plan to seek another term, Vienna Mayor David Nohe filed candidacy papers last week to run for a fifth term as mayor, a decision he said he had not planned.
Nohe also is serving as a state senator for the 3rd District. When elected to the state Senate in November 2010, Nohe said he did not plan to seek re-election for mayor, a position he has held for 15 years.
Last week, Nohe said he had a change of heart when several past employees and community members asked him to run again.
"I hadn't given this race any consideration; I threw away all my signs and was looking forward to finishing up my term," said Nohe. "There were several people who I knew were thinking about running for mayor, and last week, I saw that none of them had filed. On Thursday, several people approached me and said, 'You've come to us four times asking for our support in your race for mayor, and now we are coming to you to ask you to run for us again'."
On Friday at 4 p.m., Nohe filed the paperwork in the city clerk's office. He will run against City Recorder Randy Rapp and Jack Roush. Rapp filed for mayor the first week of the filing period, and Roush filed on Friday.
There was discussion last year about the legality of Nohe serving dual positions as mayor and senator. Letters from the secretary of state and attorney general indicated there was nothing to prevent Nohe from serving both positions, and no official opinion was offered on the matter.
"This will give people a choice. If they want me to go on serving two positions, I will. I think it's a win-win situation for the people," he said. "Any city that can have their mayor serve as a senator cannot get any closer to having major input on the bills that impact the cities every day."
The West Virginia government is a citizens' Legislature, or part-time Legislature, in which state legislators often hold full-time jobs in their city of residence and travel to the capital for the 60-day legislative sessions.
"I am comfortable with whatever the people decide," said Nohe. "If they want to put me out to pasture, that's OK. But until they do, I will continue to work every day to bring more jobs, keep the streets safe, provide clean water and keep the community the way it is. If a voter is looking for major change, I am probably not their person."
Rapp said he was not surprised at Nohe's decision to seek re-election, even though it went against what he initially announced.
"I don't think you can effectively do both jobs at the same time. To be in Charleston for 120 days a year does not give you enough time to maintain the level of service the people of Vienna expect," said Rapp.
"Last year, our city attorney requested an opinion from the attorney general's office and the secretary of state, and they both said they did not have an opinion and would not make a ruling. I think they are absolutely right," said Rapp. "It should be whatever the citizens of Vienna want. They are the ones who should make a decision about what is right and wrong. I am just going to run for mayor and I will let the people of Vienna decide what is right for their city."
Roush, a restaurant manager, said Nohe's filing surprised him.
"It certainly did come as a little surprise to me. My campaign manager and my wife and I will keep it under consideration as we move forward," said Roush. Roush did not elaborate on his plans.
If three or fewer candidates file for the position of mayor, Vienna City Council may vote to do away with the primary election. If the city holds a primary election May 8, the top two candidates for mayor will be chosen and will face off in the November general election.
