Wild.
That’s how Westover Mayor Bob Lucci summed up Tuesday’s results.
Randy Barnett and Mark Gall, two lifelong Westover residents and newcomers to elected politics, won at-large seats on Westover City Council.
The two incumbents in the race, seven-term councilor Edie Viola and three-year member Duane Tatar, ended Election Day in an even tie for the third and final seat.
The numbers ended up Barnett (425), Gall (395), Viola (313) and Tatar (313).
The city now looks to Monday’s election canvassing process to potentially break the tie as the county’s board of canvassers rule on the validity of any provisional ballots cast.
The Monongalia County Commission sits as the board of canvassers.
Lucci, who was unopposed on the ballot, received 629 votes.
He’ll serve a four-year term, as will all Westover mayors going forward.
The city’s voters narrowly passed a charter amendment doubling the length of terms for mayor from two to four years, matching that of council members. That vote went 392 for and 322 against.
“I think it’s the right thing. The first two years just fly by while you’re learning the ropes and trying to understand everything that’s happening in the city,” Lucci said. “I think four years is more realistic.”
This was the first time the city’s election was held in conjunction with the county Primary, and the numbers reflected it.
Lucci was also unopposed in the city’s 2022 standalone election. He was the top vote-getter with 122 votes.
As for council, both Barnett and Gall expressed a bit of surprise upon learning they’d been elected.
“I didn’t know if I’d get in or not to be honest with you. I’m one of those guys where if it happens, it happens,” Barnett said. “I am glad, and I really hope I can help the city out with my input and make it a little bit better place to live. I want to thank everybody who voted for me. I’ll do all I can do for the city of Westover.”
Gall said he, too, is thankful to the city’s voters.
“I’m almost shocked at those results, but I’m happy they’ve got the faith in me that they think, apparently, I’ve done alright for the city on the BZA, and I’ll benefit them by being on city council,” he said. “Wow. I just really appreciate the support.”
