Todd Forbes was happy Tuesday evening.
He was also relieved.
He was out picking up campaign signs just after 8:30 p.m. Tuesday when he unofficially became Monongalia County’s sheriff-elect.
Forbes, a Democrat, defeated Republican Jason Morgan 21,338 to 18,375 to fill the seat being vacated by term-limited Sheriff Perry Palmer.
“Obviously, I’m very happy with the results, and for a lot of reasons. The first one is I was really concerned about the future of the sheriff’s department. Now I know there’s going to be a lot of guys who will stick around and be part of what we’ve been building there, which is something really good,” Forbes told The Dominion Post.
Despite coming up short, Morgan said he’s proud of the endeavor.
“I’m so proud of the Jason Morgan for Sheriff Campaign team. We ran a very good, clean, factual campaign. I want to thank the just over 18,000 citizens that wanted change and supported me,” Morgan said, offering thanks to his donors, friends and family who helped make the campaign possible. “God bless you all and let’s focus on the future.”
Forbes’ time with the Monongalia County Sheriff’s Department dates back to the early 1990s, when he started working in the old county jail. He retired in 2021 with more than 30 years with the department, including 22 as a deputy sheriff.
He was endorsed by Palmer and former Sheriff Al Kisner.
“When I retired, I thought I was actually retired, but then this opportunity came up and it seemed like a something I wanted to do because I had major concerns for our county and the men and women who work at the sheriff’s department, so I put my name in the hat,” he said.
Forbes said he’s happy to be done campaigning, and ready to get to work.
“To everyone who came out and supported me, thank you. It means more to me than I will ever be able to say. I want them all to sleep easy tonight knowing that competency is going to remain in the sheriff’s office. We’re going to move forward and make it even better, and it’s already really good,” he said. “I’m just relieved that it’s over. I just want to get these daggone signs down and be done.”
In the county’s other law enforcement race, incumbent Democrat Gabrielle “Gabe” Mucciola picked up 29,837 votes to remain the county’s prosecuting attorney.
All results are unofficial until certified through canvassing.
