Election workers, candidates and interested citizens gather at the Wood County Courthouse to await Tuesday’s primary election returns. (Photo by Gwen Sour)

PARKERSBURG – Wood County Sheriff Rick Woodyard appears on track to be the next county commissioner after Tuesday’s primary election, and county officials had to do extra work to finish counting all precincts Tuesday night.

Woodyard received 4,445 votes in the final, unofficial count to beat out Republican challengers Greg Brannon (1,447 votes) and Jerrod Gard (1,163). No Democratic candidates have filed to run for the commission, according to the Wood County Clerk’s Office.

“I want to sincerely thank the voters of Wood County for the confidence and support you showed in electing me as the Republican nominee for County Commission,” Woodyard said. “I am deeply honored and grateful for the trust you have placed in me.

“I also want to thank Greg Brannon and Jerrod Gard for running a clean, respectful campaign focused on the future of Wood County.”

Woodyard said this primary race was truly a grassroots effort, with the candidates spending time in communities, talking directly with people, listening to concerns, and discussing ideas face to face, with very little reliance on traditional media or social media campaigning.

Williamstown City Councilman Marty Seufer, left, chats with Wood County Board of Education member Ron Tice while awaiting Tuesday’s election results at the Wood County Courthouse. (Photo by Gwen Sour)

“Throughout this primary season, many citizens voiced frustration with the tone and direction of politics,” he said. “In this County Commission race, however, voters had three candidates who genuinely cared about the county and simply wanted the opportunity to serve.

“I appreciate everyone who supported my campaign, and I look forward to continuing to work for the people of Wood County as we move forward.”

Officials were awaiting the vote totals from one final precinct Tuesday night when it was discovered a thumb drive had been misplaced.

County Clerk Joe Gonzales said the precinct had all of their paper ballots and a backup thumb drive. Officials were able to account for all of the votes and check everything against the paper ballots that were printed out when people voted.

“We have all the documentation,” Gonzales said. “Everything matched up.

“Every paper ballot is accounted for.”

In other local races, Dave Pahl unseated Wood County Conservation District Supervisor Bob Buchanan, 5,569-4,972, and a levy to support the Parkersburg & Wood County Public Library services was renewed, 9,625-3,327.

“We thank the voters,” library Director Brian Raitz said. “We would like to serve everyone. Those who voted for us and against us.

“We are here to serve everyone in the community and we will strive to do so.”

Parkersburg and Vienna residents voted to renew the levy supporting the Mid-Ohio Valley Transit Authority by margins of 3,046-845 and 1,804-344, respectively.

In Williamstown, incumbent City Councilmen Pat Peters and Marty Seufer were reelected with 445 and 407 votes over challenger Jeff Meeks, with 290.

Staff reporter Gretchen Dowler contributed to this story.