An OPEN LETTER to … Unsuccessful Candidates in Wheeling
While the results are not yet final because the counting continues and canvassing is set for next week, it appears residents now know who their representative will be on City Council come July 1.
A closer look at the results, however, reveals much more than winners and losers. In three of Wheeling’s six wards, two incumbents and one newcomer emerged as clear winners, but in the three other wards and in the race for the mayor’s position, more folks voted for unsuccessful candidates rather than the winner.
The mayor’s race featured three candidates, and while the incumbent, Glenn Elliott, earned a second term by gaining 3,647 votes, a total of 3,739 cast ballots for one of the other two choices. In the third ward, first-timer Ben Seidler will replace incumbent Ken Imer after receiving 274 votes, but 444 people selected one of the other four names on the ballot. And in the fifth ward where four candidates filed, incumbent Ty Thorngate collected 847 votes and will serve a second term, but the three other men snared 989 votes.
Granted, campaigns were abruptly altered once COVID-19 collided, but clearly the unofficial election results indicate obvious concerns about the direction of the city. That’s likely because different visions were shared by you, and they were appreciated by voters.
But Now What?
Did defeat silence your voices and messages that did attract support within your respective communities? You said get all of the information first. You said the entire ward matters. You said flooding issues need addressed, that every resident should be included in all conversations, and you insisted that all voices should be heard.
But what, you fade now? How’s that fair to your supporters who believed in the vision you offered them? You were as active and creative with your campaigns as possible, and yeah, losing sucks, and the “what ifs” are plentiful. We get it, but that doesn’t mean we want you and your ideas NOT to be considered by the seven who will serve.
Nope, you didn’t win, but four of seven kinda didn’t win either, right?
Sincerely,
Voters for Change
