BECKLEY, WV (LOOTPRESS) – It was a whirlwind of emotions for many on Tuesday as results of the Primary Election rolled in, leading to a number of significant changes in leadership throughout state.
The Raleigh County area specifically saw many shifts with regard to elected officials, including the voting in of multiple new members of the City of Beckley’s Common Council, a new Raleigh County Sheriff, and a new mayor in Ryan Neal.
LOOTPRESS caught up with Neal moments after the news of his victory to discuss his feelings following the win.
“Just so many emotions. I’ll tell you the biggest thing is I’m so humbled. I mean, I love our city. I’ve always lived here. I love the City of Beckley,” said the candidate. “I’ve never ran for anything in my life, and just to have the city of Beckley say, ‘hey man, we want you to be the next mayor,’ is so huge that I can’t even tell you.”
The political newcomer’s mayoral campaign was focused, in no small part, on transparency – a notion that he reinforced just after the votes had been tallied.
“With me you’re going to get honesty, you’re going to get transparency, and somebody that’s going to do what’s best for the City of Beckley every day.”
Neal also discussed the candidate pool for the mayoral election, offering up praise for many of his fellow candidates.
“I got to know Marvin Robinson who I’d never met before – a class act guy, I love him. I told him six weeks ago, ‘If I wasn’t running, I would absolutely vote for you,” said Neal of the opposition. “Robert Dunlap, I got to hang out with him, I got to spend time with him. I think he’s a great guy.”
With regard to the planned shift in government from a Strong Mayor to a City Manager form of government, Neal stated he is fully prepared to work with a City Manager but would also embrace the role of a Strong Mayor.
“I would love that! The whole reason I was going to get in this is because it was a full-time mayor [position.] So, yes. I hope it stays that way. But if it doesn’t stay that way, I’ll fully accept my role and I’ll help City Council and I’ll help the City Manager do what’s best for the city.”
Additional LOOTPRESS coverage for the 2024 Primary Election can be found here.
