File image.
CLARKSBURG, W. Va.–Former Harrison County commissioner Ron Watson has announced his candidacy for the newly created 69th House of Delegate District.
Watson served on the commission for 18 years. Before that he was a police officer in Washington D.C. and director of parks and recreation in Jacksonville, Florida.
“I’ve also been committed to a government that is open, responsive and accountable to the people,” Watson said on WAJR’s Talk of the Town. “Politicians forget who owns the government, government is owned by the people.”
Watson said he’s fought for improvements for first responders, worked to develop a state-of-the-art E-911 center in Bridgeport and addressed what he thought was unfairness in the pay system for county employees.
“I have no problem being transparent and getting along and I think that’s the key,” Watson said. “You don’t take a hardline one way or the other.”
Watson said he takes great pride in being part of the team that saw economic potential in, and began development at the north Central West Virginia Airport.
“I consider myself a conservative Democrat,” Watson said. “I know the process and I know how to get along.”
Watson said he understand how the governing process works and wants to work within the Republican majority to improve lives- just like he did while working a a Harrison County commissioner.
Watson was defeated by former Harrison County Clerk Susan Thomas in the June 2020 primary election.
“If you don’t get what you want, no big deal. Just continue to pursue avenues to make things happen,” Watson said.
The filing period for next year’s primary election begins next month. The primary is scheduled for May 10 and the general election will be held Nov. 8.