PARKERSBURG - The majority of Parkersburg City Council incumbents retained their seats Tuesday, with one notable upset.
Democrat Kimberly Jo Coram beat out Republican incumbent John Sandy for the District 4 council seat with 355 votes to 332. One write-in vote was cast.
"I'm very excited," said Coram, who said she ran a "short campaign" beginning in September, writing letters to supporters, knocking on doors and attending community events.
Article Photos
Photo by Michael Erb
Parkersburg City Councilmember-elect Kimberly Jo Coram, right, speaks with boyfriend Michael Dickerson, left, and others during Tuesday’s election at the Wood County Courthouse. Coram beat out incumbent John Sandy for the District 4 council seat, the only upset in the seven contested city council races.
Coram said as a council member she hopes to address the crime rate within her district.
"I really want to help get a sense of community instilled, to get people there working to reduce crime in the area," she said. Coram said she also wants to support and encourage neighborhood beautifying projects and to support public transportation options for her district.
In District 1, incumbent Democrat Nancy Wilcox retained her seat with 469 votes, with Republican challenger Kenneth Judy receiving 424 votes.
In District 2, incumbent Democrat Sharon Lynch won with 456 votes to Republican James Richards' 337 votes. One write-in vote was cast.
In District 3, Republican Roger Brown won with 668 votes. Democrat challenger Tandra Mays received 374 votes. Both were running for the seat vacated by Brad Kimes, who did not run for re-election.
"I'm glad. It's the first time I've ever run," Brown said. "People are trusting me to do the job I promised I'd do, and now I have to go to work.
"Right now I just feel humbled that people voted for me."
Brown said his first priority will be to address the user fee.
"That was one of the things I promised, to try and get rid of that fee," he said. Brown said he also wants to find ways to bring business and industry back to the city, something he believes will take cooperation between council and the mayor.
"Whatever we can do to help him achieve those goals, that's what we're here for," Brown said.
In District 5, Democrat J.R. Carpenter received 505 votes to Republican Joseph K. Backus' 294 votes. Both were vying for the seat vacated by Sharyn Tallman, who ran for mayor.
Only one candidate filed in District 6, Councilmember Mike Reynolds, who is unopposed this election cycle. Reynolds received 948 votes. There were eight write-in candidate votes.
Republican John Kelly, who won the District 7 Republican primary, was unopposed and received 1,209 votes. There were 10 write-in candidate votes.
In District 8, incumbent Democrat John Rockhold kept his seat with 539 votes. Republican challenger Jim Knapp received 446 votes.
In District 9, Republican incumbent Jim Reed won with 738 votes to Democrat challenger Julia Ann Monroe's 454 votes.
