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WELLSBURG - Republican incumbent Jimmy Willis will be returning to Charleston after holding off challenges from two other candidates in the race to represent the Third District in the West Virginia House of Delegates.
In unofficial results Tuesday, Willis came out on top over Democrat Mike Robinson and independent candidate Dave Cantrell.
Willis offered his appreciation to the voters for their support in returning him to the House for another term.
"I look forward to serving them another two years as delegate," he said.
Willis, from Bethany received 2,338 votes, or 53.15 percent, while Robinson, a Republican from Wellsburg, received 1,233, or 28.03 percent, and Cantrell from Wheeling received 828 votes, of 18.82 percent.
Results are unofficial until they are canvassed next week.
"We’ve been making great progress," Willis said of the work done by the Legislature in recent years. "I look forward to doing it the next two years."
In particular, he said he wants to focus on four key issues: reductions in taxes, improving the job market in West Virginia, supporting infrastructure investment, and education reform.
In the area of education, Willis said the state, especially needs to focus on reforming the school aid formula, which is used to provide state funding to West Virginia’s 55 public school districts.
"It’s at the top of my list. It’s at the top of a lot of people’s lists," Willis said. "It’s just something we have to do."
Willis was first elected to the House in 2022. He currently serves as vice chair of the House Higher Education Committee, and holds membership in the House Education, Health and Human Resources, and Human Services committees.
Cantrell is a union electrician, a 26-year-member of IBEW Local 141, and a member of the Ohio Valley Trades and Labor.
Cantrell previously sought the seat, running as a Democrat in 2024.
Robinson is a lifelong resident of Wellsburg, is a business owner, coach, and musician.
District 3 includes portions of Brooke and Ohio counties.
(Howell can be contacted at chowell@weirtondailytimes.com)