Fayette County candidates react to their primary victories

FAYETTE COUNTY, WV (WOAY) – Emotions ran high on Tuesday night as results poured in in Fayette County. Candidates stood by in the Soldiers and Sailors Memorial Building waiting for the latest precinct reports.

Once all precincts came in at around 9:30 p.m., it was a clear victory for candidates like Cindy Whitlock who secured a spot on the Fayette County Board of Education with almost 6,000 votes.

“I’m very pleased and honored. Awestruck,” she said.

Incumbent Sheriff Mike Fridley won the democratic primary in a landslide beating his opponent Garland Burke by a little over 3,000 votes.

“I’m excited. I’m humbled. The citizens of this county spoke again,” Fridley said.

Some races were more close as local attorney Anthony Ciliberti finished the night with 2,390 votes just beating his opponent Interim Prosecuting Attorney Jeff Mauzy by a little under 300 to secure the democratic nomination for Fayette County Prosecuting Attorney.

Currently with no Republican challenger, he shared some of his ideas as he plans to take office in January.

“I plan to adopt a zero tolerance policy for domestic violence and animal cruelty and animal neglect cases are also going to be a priority for my office,” Ciliberti said.

For Whitlock, a first-time candidate, she will take office in July ready to support students, teachers and school staff.

“My push will be to continue to support the people who work with the kids,” she said. “I have seen a lot of heart, and that’s where education rests. That’s what it depends on, and you have teachers and board members and bus drivers.”

For Sheriff Fridley, he will head on to the November general election as he will take on Republican nominee Chuck Miller.

“I’m just glad all the citizens of this county like Mike and I hope they like me in November,” he said. “Just let me get another term in and get more done. You know, the momentum is going great right now. Let’s keep it going and work as a team.”

These are unofficial results that will be canvassed on Monday.

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