Emrick looks set to win Vienna’s mayoral race | News, sports, jobs

Photo by Gwen Sour From left, candidates Chad Emrick and Tony Morrison watch the live election results Tuesday at the Wood County Courthouse in Parkersburg. According to the unofficial election results, Emrick will become mayor of Vienna and Morrison will serve on the Vienna City Council.

VIENNA – According to the unofficial results of the 2024 general election, Chad Emrick won his first term as mayor of Vienna, while the seats on the Vienna City Council were filled with incumbent Jim Leach and several new members.

According to results available at the time of writing from the Wood County Clerk’s office, Emrick had 2,017 votes, while his opponents, incumbent Mayor Randy Rapp, had 1,760 votes and City Council Member Kim Williams had 1,286 votes.

“This campaign was so amazing and now that we’re here, putting it all together, I can’t describe it,” Emrick said Tuesday night. “So many things had to happen to get me to this point and I believe our community was ready for change.”

Emrick quickly discussed his plans for Vienna’s future, hoping to serve as much of the community as possible.

“(I want) to take care of every resident, regardless of where they live, what their income is… I see all residents equally and I believe Vienna as a whole has come to believe that.”

Emrick said he plans to work with the new council members as they all navigate their new positions. Emrick hopes there will be a way to ensure there is no division in Vienna’s system of governance. He also made a statement to the other candidates involved in the mayoral race.

‘We have been through a lot in recent months during our campaign’ Emrick said. “That is all behind us now. I look forward to coming together, working together and building a great future for Vienna.”

Rapp, who has served three terms as mayor of Vienna, shared his feelings about the election and his plans after Emrick’s succession as mayor.

“I have worked for the city for 20 years and it has been a privilege to work with some of the city employees… they are the greatest asset this city has and I will miss the people I worked with,” Rap said. “Vienna is a great city… when you look around and see the things we have and the conditions we live in, it’s fantastic. I enjoyed it immensely… but life goes on. I have three grandsons, I will enjoy working with them and watching them grow up.”

There will be at least four new members on the council. Unofficial election results include incumbent Jim Leach as well as Harry Deitzler, Tami Rhodes, Tony Morrison and Henry Sasyn.

As the unofficial results came in, Deitzler was at the courthouse sharing his enthusiasm for serving the city of Vienna.

“I’m glad I can help,” said Deitzler. “Whether I would be chosen or not, I would still do my best… what is important is to get the things that make people happy to be there, to make Vienna the place where people want to spend time spend.”

Rhodes also shared her excitement about the results.

“I feel very grateful, I feel very humbled that the citizens of Vienna have put their trust and their confidence in me,” said Rhodes. “My whole purpose as a member of the council is to listen to the people and represent them… to do what the people need.”

For the recorder’s position, the unofficial results gave Rod Smith 2,420 votes, compared to Alice Goodwin’s 2,036 votes. Smith shared sentiments that echoed the excitement of the other candidates.

“It is very humiliating that the citizens of Vienna decided to appoint me as recorder,” said Smith, “I know I have a lot of work to do and to make sure I meet the expectations of the citizens… I am so excited about the new council that is coming and to move Vienna forward.”

Gwen Sour can be reached at [email protected]