He has served as Belmont County Sheriff Dave Lucas’s right-hand man since 2014, and now Chief Deputy James Zusack has decided to run for the position in 2024.
Zusack, a member of the Sheriff’s Office since 1991, made the announcement earlier this evening on The River Network’s River Talk 100.1 FM.
“Sheriff Lucas has informed me that he will not be running for the position for another term, so I am announcing now that I will be running for sheriff because it feels like a natural move at this time,” the 53-year-old Zusack explained. “It is something that I’ve wanted to do and it believe it would be an honor just to run for the position let alone be elected to it. This is what I’ve wanted to do since I started my career in 1991.
“I feel it would be the best way for me to complete my law enforcement career,” he said. “I discovered that law enforcement was what I wanted to do because I enjoyed working in loss prevention when I worked at Kmart at the Ohio Valley Mall when I was going to college. I believe it was the rush I felt when we caught someone taking something that wasn’t theirs. Since I joined the Belmont County Sheriff’s Office, I’ve never regretted it.”
Zusack is a 1987 graduate of St. Clairsville High School and he earned an associate’s degree in Criminal Justice from Akron University. He became chief deputy on March 1, 2014, following the retirement of Chief Bill Artrip.
“I’ve learned from Sheriff Lucas how to run a very tight ship because that’s exactly how he has gone about being the sheriff of Belmont County. He demands the best from everyone within the sheriff’s office, and as someone who has worked under him, you know it on a daily basis,” Zusack explained. “I have worked with Sheriff (Tom) McCort, Sheriff (Fred) Thompson, and now Sheriff (Dave) Lucas, and I have learned so much from each of them that I will be able to take into the job if the people of Belmont County choose to elect me.
“Each of them also has taught me how important it is to be a member of the community and to be available to the community at all times. The community is why we do this job because the community is what we protect every single day,” he said. “They need us, sure, but we need our community to support us so they will work with us when we need them.”
The chief deputy has appreciated his support systems throughout his law enforcement career, and that includes individuals on the job and his family at home.
“Every job has its ups and downs but working in law enforcement is different than a normal job. When you choose law enforcement, you’ve decided a way of life,” Zusack said. “The people I work with are my brothers and sisters and that’s because we are always there for each other no matter what the circumstances are. Yes, it’s a dangerous job, but knowing that those folks have your back makes a huge difference.
“My wife is an incredible person who has endured a lot of worry through the years, but I love her and respect her for that so much,” he said. “She has allowed me to do what I have had to do to keep my family safe, and to keep the people of Belmont County safe, and I owe her so much for that.”
Zusack, a Republican, will not be able to file pre-candidacy paperwork with the Belmont County Elections Board until later this year.
“I’m looking forward to meeting with as many residents as possible so I can discuss their concerns with them because I believe that’s the only way to know for sure,” Zusack said. “Anyone who knows me knows I’m a people person so I believe that will help me a lot in the position if the people elect me. I have the experience to continue protecting our residents, and it’s very humbling for me to make this decision.
“I know the primary is a ways off still, but I wanted the people of Belmont County to know I want to continue working for them as the sheriff,” the chief deputy added. “It will be an honor if they support me so I can continue my career in that position.”
