PARKERSBURG - Former Parkersburg Police Lt. Joe Kuhl will be the newest Wood County magistrate in his third try for the office.
Kuhl, a Republican, who retired from the Parkersburg Police Department after 30 years of service, finished fourth in the seven-candidate field with all precincts reporting.
According to unofficial returns, Brenda Marshall, Robin Waters and Joyce Purkey will return to the court for four more years. Marshall, a Republican, led in the votes all night, followed by Robin Waters, a Republican, and Joyce Purkey, a Democrat.
Article Photos
Photo by Jeff Baughan
Wood County Magistrate elect Joe Kuhl, left, snaps a picture as his daughter, Barbara, looks on Tuesday at the Wood County Courthouse.
Kuhl said he was expecting a close race for the court. Now that the election is over, he said he is looking forward to serving. He received 15,085 votes, or 14.35 percent.
"I'm looking forward to serving the citizens of Wood County and upholding their faith in men and meeting their needs as best I can."
Marshall, who was running for her third full term as a magistrate, led the vote count most of the night. She also served two years of the unexpired term of Magistrate Bill Rhodes, who retired in 2001.
Marshall was the vote leader in the race with 19,531 votes, or 18.59 percent.
"I'm extremely happy and so glad the people of Wood County have entrusted me again with this job I love and have been drawn to."
Marshall said she is looking forward to four more years as a magistrate.
"I've always said this is my four-year evaluation by those who elected me the last time."
Waters, who was running for her first full term as a magistrate, finished second in the race with 18,518 votes, or 17.62 percent of the vote. Waters was elected as a magistrate in 2010 to finish out the term of Magistrate Emily Bradley, who resigned earlier in the year.
Water began as the assistant to Magistrate Rachel Ferguson, who was appointed until a magistrate could be elected.
Waters said she was grateful to her supporters in the county.
"I would like to thank all my supporters and family for all their hard work," she said. "I enjoy being a magistrate and I thank the public for their votes."
Purkey, a Democrat, has been associated with the magistrate court from its beginning in 1977 and was re-elected, finishing third in the vote total. In 1976, Purkey was appointed as the first clerk of the court in Wood County and served for 15 years.
According to unofficial results, Purkey had 15,983 votes, or 15.21 percent of the vote. Purkey was elected to a third full term.
"Needless to say I'm thrilled. I appreciate all the voters in Wood County who got out and voted," she said.
Rounding out the field were Barry Murphy with 13,782 votes, or 13.11 percent; Debbie Hendershot, 12,161 votes, or 11.57 percent, and Bradley Frum with 10,009 votes, or 9.52 percent.
