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WELLSBURG -- West Virginia Sen. Ryan Weld fought off a strong challenge from Democrat Randy Swartzmiller to retain his seat in the West Virginia Senate.
Election night totals show Weld, R-Brooke, had captured 22,614 votes in the 1st Senate District — which includes Hancock, Brooke, and Ohio counties, and part of Marshall County. Swartzmiller received 20,175 votes.
Weld serves as Senate Majority Whip, making him the third-ranking member in the chamber. He was in that position when state teachers struck in 2018 and 2019.
Earlier this year, Senate President Mitch Carmichael, R-Jackson, was defeated in the GOP primary. Former Senate Majority Leader Ryan Ferns, R-Ohio -- once the number two ranking member -- was defeated in the 2018 general election.
State teachers successfully targeted the Carmichael and Ferns campaigns, and had backed Swartzmiller in his bid over Weld. This time, Weld prevailed.
Weld thanked the voters, and said he was "absolutely humbled by their support."
"Words can't express how excited I am by the opportunity to represent them for another four years in Charleston," he said.
Weld said it was his record of getting legislation passed in the Senate and being responsive to voters that helped him win the race. He has passed 39 pieces of legislation during his four years in the Senate, and many of his bills have focused on substance abuse and veterans.
"It was my record of getting things done — and the issues I've taken up– that put me over," Weld said. "The voters recognized that.
"The people also realized how much I care and wanted to continue."
He also wanted to thank his wife Alex, who serves as executive director of Wheeling Heritage.
"I want to publicly thank Alex for all her hard work that helped me to secure this victory," he said. "People have come to see us as a team, and I couldn't do it without her."
Weld isn't certain what position he will hold when the Legislature convenes in February, but he is likely to have a good post.
"I haven't really thought about it," he said. "The only thing I was focused on recently was the election, and just getting across the finish line."
Weld, 40, was elected to the Senate in 2016, and is completing his first four-year term in the chamber this year. Prior to serving in the Senate, he was elected to terms in the House of Delegates in 2012 and 2014.
Weld is an attorney and U.S. Air Force veteran, and he presently holds the rank of captain in the U.S. Air Force Reserves.
(King can be contacted at jking@theintelligencer.net)