MORGANTOWN — Democrat Tom Bloom broke what’s become a bit of an incumbent curse on Tuesday, defeating Republican Andrew Price to hold onto his Monongalia County Commission seat representing the Western District for a second six-year term.
The current commission president, Bloom received the highest vote total of any candidate on the ballot with 18,196 and became the first county commissioner to win re-election since Asel Kennedy, in 2006.
Price ended up with 12,325 votes.
When asked about the campaign and Tuesday’s results, Bloom chuckled and said, “What a long, strange trip it’s been these last several months.”
He said he was honored to have received so many votes and to have won the race by such a margin.
“I’m just very thankful that the voters are putting their trust in me for another term. I’ve enjoyed the last six years and I believe my vision for the future is something that is similar to what the public has for this county,” Bloom said.
“I want to be the catalyst to bring together the Democrats, Republicans and Independents to move this county forward. It’s clearly needed and I’m honored that the public believes I’m the individual who can do it.”
He said he appreciates not only the support of the county’s voters, but his fellow county commissioners, Republicans Ed Hawkins and Sean Sikora.
“I really do want to thank Ed and Sean. Clearly we work very well as a team. There’s no D or R when we discuss issues, just what’s best for Mon County,” Bloom said. “I think all three of us realize that. We’ve been very fortunate.”
Hawkins will be the next member of the commission to face re-election, in 2020.
All vote totals are unofficial until certified.
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