WYOMING COUNTY, WV (WOAY) – David “Bugs” Stover, a long time teacher and current Circuit Clerk in Wyoming County, won the Republican nomination and will likely become the new State Senator from the 9th District. Stover defeated incumbent Sue Cline by 2,275 votes despite unusual election circumstances.
“I had no idea how to read that election,” Stover said. “With COVID the way that it’s been, it was hard to campaign. It was hard to do anything to get a feel for how the election was going. So I went into last night not having any idea. I’m glad to get it. I was ecstatic, humbled and very, very happy.”
While last night was the primary vote for State Senator, the Republican winner was set to run unopposed in November’s General Election. Stover won’t officially take office until January 2021, but he has no intention of waiting that long to assume the role.
“Up until then, I’m going to do several things,” Stover said. “I’m going to meet all of the elected people and others in the district from all of the counties. Talk to commissioners and other folks. ‘What do you need me to do when I’m down there?’ Because the whole point of me running is that I want to look people in the eye and say, ‘I really am your representative here.'”
One of the main challenges for Stover, along with all of the new representatives, is bringing the economy back from the COVID-19 pandemic. Although circumstances could change in the coming months, Stover is already planning how to ease the people he now represents back into a normal lifestyle.
“Everything has to be done cautiously, but confidently, and we can’t spend money that we don’t have,” Stover said. “No matter the cost. If it’s not there, you can’t spend it. We have to get that into our thinking.”
Stover will give up his Circuit Clerk position upon taking office in January.
