Clare Ath announced at the end of May that she would resign, six months after she was first elected to the County Commission (she had been serving previously by appointment, filling a seat vacated by the resignation of Josh Compton in May 2021).
West Virginia law calls for the four remaining Commissioners – Steve Stolipher, Tricia Jackson, Jennifer Krouse (all Republicans) and Jane Tabb (independent) – to appoint a county resident to fill the seat until voters select someone in the 2024 general election to serve out the remainder of the term (through the end 2028). Ath was elected as a Republican, so the appointee will also need to be registered as a Republican. The Commissioners met in a special session on June 23 and failed to agree on a candidate.
The process to fill the Charles Town seat on the Commission now moves to local Republican Party executive committee, which will meet on August 1 to decide on three candidates to the County Commission. Any Jefferson County resident who is currently registered to vote as a Republican (and who registered as a Republican prior to March 26 2023) may submit a resume for consideration to the Republican Executive Committee (email to JCRECsecretary@gmail.com by July 28, 2023).
By Staff Contributor