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WELLSBURG -- A.J. Thomas of Follansbee has announced he will seek a second term as Brooke County commissioner.
Thomas, who was elected to the position in 2018 and has served as the commission's president since 2020, said he is "honored to announce my candidacy for re-election as Brooke County commissioner."
"My vision is to create a thriving community where my children and future generations can find abundant career opportunities and raise their families. Together, we have achieved significant milestones, and I am committed to building upon its building upon this foundation to further enhance the quality of life for all residents of Brooke County."
"We are so proud in Brooke County of the economic growth we have created by partnering with federal, state and local agencies," said Thomas.
He noted development in Beech Bottom, including the recent arrival of Pure Watercraft, and Weirton, including the opening of Fanti USA at the Half Moon Industrial Park, he said has made Brooke County "a success story" not only in the Northern Panhandle but the entire state.
Thomas said his agenda for a second term will include "increased support for first responders with the completion of a centralized ambulance station and state-of-the-art 911 dispatch center; investment in public safety across the board; continued partnerships with federal, state and local agencies to create additional economic development; and maintaining a balanced budget for Brooke County."
Thomas serves on the executive committee of the Business Development Corp. of the Northern Panhandle, is chairman of the Brooke-Hancock-Jefferson Metropolitan Planning Commission, president of the Brooke County Ambulance Authority and on boards for the Brooke County Senior Center and Brooke County Public Library.
A 2007 graduate of Brooke High School, he earned a bachelor's degree in political science and a law degree at West Virginia University, where he graduated in the top third of his class and received a CALI Award from the Center for Computer-Assisted Legal Instruction for excellence in the study of elder law.
He has practiced law at the Cipriani and Thomas Law Office in Wellsburg since 2014, dealing with a wide array of legal issues, including property law, contract law, estate planning and personal injury.
"It has been a pleasure to serve the residents of Brooke County and I am looking forward to listening to their concerns and continuing to work tirelessly to represent their interests," Thomas said.
He lives in Follansbee with his wife, Kelley, and their two children.