HUNTINGTON Ƶ In a close race to determine HuntingtonƵs leadership for the next four years, residents elected Patrick Farrell, a business owner and U.S. Air Force veteran.
According to unofficial vote totals Tuesday night, Farrell is expected to take office in January and replace Mayor Steve Williams, the cityƵs first three-term mayor.
With all precincts reporting in Cabell and Wayne counties, unofficial returns showed Farrell barely defeating Democrat Jennifer Wheeler.
Wheeler, who was ahead during early voting and among absentee voters, saw her lead dwindle during reporting of later precincts. Farrell ended with 7,305 votes to WheelerƵs 6,873. Jay Michaels, an independent candidate, finished with 799 votes. All totals are unofficial until the Cabell and Wayne county commissions meet next week as their countiesƵ board of canvassers.
Cabell County Clerk Scott Caserta said 1,500 mail-in ballots were counted and are included in the unofficial returns from Tuesday. Any remaining ballots that come in before Nov. 12 will be counted before the canvass begins.
Following his win, Farrell celebrated with supporters at the Cabell County Courthouse. Farrell, whose campaign focused on leaning away from politics and instead aspiring to make his hometown a better place for all residents, said his triumph shows votersƵ confidence in his promises to make Huntington safer, grow and diversify the economy and focus on alleviating issues such as flooding and homelessness.
ƵI think everyone believes that Huntington can be a better place, and I think we can make it safer, stronger and more vibrant,Ƶ he said. ƵI think people believe that our future is better than our past and thatƵs what they are looking for.Ƶ
He thanked his supporters who had Ƶfaith in the vision that we have in Huntington.Ƶ
ƵWe think it is going to be a good four years; weƵll get to work,Ƶ Farrell said.
FarrellƵs campaign also focused on his achievements as a business owner and as a member of the Marshall University Board of Governors.
ƵThrough collaborative leadership, we achieved robust enrollment growth, financial stability, and new investments in Huntington,Ƶ Farrell told The Herald-Dispatch last week. ƵIƵll use my experience at Marshall, along with my background in energy, infrastructure and technology, to diversify our economy, create jobs, and reverse our cityƵs population decline.Ƶ
He said Wheeler ran a great race as well.
ƵSheƵs a great person and itƵs an honor to run alongside someone who cares so much about Huntington and the passion that she brought to the race. It was really great that we brought so much interest to the local race,Ƶ Farrell said.
Wheeler, a former Huntington City Council member, focused her campaign on protecting neighborhoods through improved lighting and sidewalks and adding commerce to the community.
ƵWhat an amazing turnout in such a very close race,Ƶ Wheeler said. ƵThank you to everyone for the years of support for me and my campaign. I look forward to the certified results after canvassing is completed next week when we have ensured all the votes and mail-in ballots have been counted.Ƶ
Michaels, an entertainment industry professional and home renovation specialist, congratulated Farrell on his win and said he wishes the future mayor well. Michaels said he ran because he wanted to help Huntington become a better steward of what it already has
ƵMost important, I canƵt say enough thanks to all of you who voted for me and for your support and confidence the whole way,Ƶ Michaels said.
After celebrating, Farrell said he would put together a transition team before he officially takes office Jan. 1, 2025. His first order of business, he said, will be to organize the budget to reflect his campaign priorities, which he said are public safety at No. 1, followed by infrastructure and growing the economy.
Farrell will become HuntingtonƵs third Republican mayor. Huntington has had two Republican and three Democratic mayors in 39 years.
Reflecting on his time leading the city, Williams, who began his campaign in 2012, said he could not foresee the effect the opioid epidemic would have on Huntington. He said in an email to The Herald-Dispatch on Wednesday his advice to the mayor elect is to take ownership of the problem.
ƵThe mayor is responsible for everything,Ƶ Williams said.
Williams said he texted with Farrell and plans to meet with him once everything settles. Williams said he will do everything necessary to assist in the transition and give the mayor-elect an opportunity to succeed immediately.
ƵWhen appropriate, I will bring the mayor-elect into internal discussions,Ƶ he said.
