FAIRMONT – It ain’t over … ‘til it’s over.
That’s how it was rattling down Tuesday night for two key contests on the Republican side of the ballot during Tuesday’s primary in Marion County.
In the GOP race for county commission, political veteran Guy Ward, who has served on the commission and in the House of Delegates was battling former West Virginia state trooper Scott Crouch for the top spot on that ballot.
Totals were 524 votes for Ward, to the 507 notched for Crouch.
Frankie Delapas is running unopposed on the Democratic ticket for commission.
Republican Phil Mallow and Democrat Linda Longstreth, both running unopposed for the 74th House, will square off in that contest.
Same for the 76th House, with GOP Jon Dodds and his Democrat challenger Rick Garcia both on their respective ballots with no other challengers.
On the Republican ticket for Marion County Commission, David Kennedy was narrowly besting Barry Bledsoe, 1,358 votes to 1,178. Both served previous terms on Fairmont City Council.
Democrat Tim McAteer was surging in his race for commission, outpacing his closest challenger, former Fairmont mayor Tom Mainella, by a 2,386-970 vote margin.
Sam Brunett, the Fairmont native and Morgantown High School art teacher was the top voter-getter with 3,976 ballots cast for Marion County Board of Education. Incumbents Donna Costello and Tom Dragich kept their seats with 3,787 and 2,802 votes respectively.
Meanwhile, the county’s library, public transportation and parks and recreation levies, all up for renewal, passed overwhelmingly.
Tuesday’s Marion numbers from the Secretary of State’s office won’t be official until canvassing.
