MORGANTOWN — Longtime 50th House of Delegates incumbent Mike Caputo is making a return trip to Charleston.
Caputo, a Democrat from Rivesville, pulled down 10,193 votes in the Marion County race Tuesday night to capture a 12th term in the House.
He is a 60-year-old, third-generation coal miner and union official, serving as United Mine Workers of America International District 31 vice president.
He said he’ll continue his platform, which includes fighting for the rights of teachers and other public employees, while also working to exempt seniors’ Social Security income from state tax rolls.
Caputo was first elected to statewide office in 1997, after serving stints on Rivesville Town Council.
“It’s always been about providing fair and honest representation for the people of Marion County,” he said Tuesday night.
“That’s what we’re gonna keep doing.”
Meanwhile, his victory, and the victories of the other two top vote-getters, incumbent Linda Longstreth and political newcomer Michael Angelucci, assures a full Democrat delegation for the Marion County district in Charleston.
Longstreth, a military veteran and educator from Fairmont, garnered 9,282 votes.
Angelucci, a Farmington paramedic who serves as operations chief for the Marion County Rescue Squad, narrowly bested Republican incumbent and White Hall mayor Guy Ward, 8,556 votes to 8,497.
Phil Mallow, a Republican making a second run for the House received 7,493 votes. Independent candidate Jon Dodds earned 3, 259 votes.
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