WELLSBURG — Brooke County voters Tuesday re-elected Republicans A.J. Thomas and Richard Beatty as county commissioner and sheriff, respectively.

Thomas garnered 5,892 votes, or 62.51 percent of those cast by voters, while Democratic challenger Darin Pizer received 3,533 votes, or 37.49 percent.

All totals are unofficial until ballots are canvassed at 9:30 a.m. next Tuesday at the county courthouse.

Asked to comment on his win, Thomas said, “I feel humbled to say the least. It’s an affirmation that what we’ve been doing for the last six years is what people want.”

Asked his future goals as county commissioner, he said, “The biggest project for me in my next term is the replacement of the Market Street Bridge.”

Thomas said he intends to be “laser-focused” on that goal in his next years as commissioner, noting the most optimistic estimates for its completion have been five to six years.

He added he will continue to work with others for economic development, particularly in Weirton and at the Beech Bottom Industrial Park, and to support efforts by the county’s public service districts and municipalities in improving and extending public water and sewer service.

Thomas said to accomplish the latter goal, he will push for state officials to make more state funds available for the utilities, which he said are key to attracting new businesses.

“It’s not just a local issue. It’s a state issue,” he said, adding if the state is operating at a budgetary surplus as West Virginia officials say, “Let’s take advantage of it.”

Beatty won the race for sheriff, receiving 6,195 votes, or 65.33 percent of those cast by voters.

Ferguson, his Democratic challenger and a former Brooke County sheriff, received 3,287 votes, or 34.67 percent of those cast.

Beatty said of his win, “I’m obviously happy the voters have faith in me and voted for me to continue the work we have done.”

He added he’s been working to expand his department and having recently tested candidates for deputies, hopes to add new officers soon.

No other county officials were opposed in the election.

County election clerks reported 9,795, or 65.1 percent of registered voters turned out for the election on Tuesday, while a record-setting 2,963 voters cast their ballots during the early voting period at the courthouse and through absentee ballots.