MORGANTOWN — Former Monongalia County Commissioner Betty Wiley has filed as a candidate to challenge Tom Bloom in the Democratic primary for the Western District commission seat.
Bloom, the current commission president, is seeking his second six-year term.
Wiley served on the commission from 1995-2000 and said she’s missed being involved in public service. She said she’s also grown disgusted with the state of things.
“I thought, I can’t run for president, but I can maybe run for something and maybe make a difference,” Wiley said.
Asked about her decision to challenge Bloom in the primary, she said she feels the current commission has needlessly chosen construction and development over citizens and community.
“The county commission has the ability to help people, a lot. When I was on the commission we provided a lot of funds in various places to improve a variety of different things,” Wiley said. “The commissioners now, they like to build things and they spend a lot of money on the courthouse square and stuff like that. Well, you can still help the taxpayers. There’s plenty of money in this county.”
There is also a challenge from the republican side of the isle. Andrew Price will challenge either Bloom or Price in November.
Saturday marked the end of the candidate filing period ahead of May’s primary election. Candidate paperwork must have been postmarked Saturday to be accepted.
