NEW CUMBERLAND — Republican voters in Hancock County will have a choice for county commissioner when they cast their ballots in the May 12 primary election.

Incumbent Eron Chek is being challenged by Ronnie Jones for their party’s nomination. The winner of the primary will advance to face Democrat Brianne Bates in the Nov. 3 general election. Bates is unopposed in the race for her party’s nomination.

Chek, who is serving in the last year of her first four-year term as a commissioner, said maintaining budget stability is a core priority. For decades, she explained, budgeting has been based on political pressure to increase budgets every year, even in times of decreasing revenue.

“I support a responsible and disciplined budget plan to insulate taxpayers from tax increases and employees from unemployment,” she said. “That is accomplished by using data to determine if small adjustments are needed.”

Stability, she said, is her highest priority. During the past two years, she said, extreme failures in water infrastructure and education have been uncovered in Hancock County. A stable budget and capable leadership that can step in when needed and deliver solutions across departments are prerequisites for the county’s recovery, Chek added.

A Weirton resident, Chek said she and her fellow county commissioners joined with the sheriff’s department in making a budget responsibility commitment in response to changes at the state level that led to a 10% reduction in tax revenue. Providing public services within those spending boundaries led to job losses, she explained.

Chek said the decision was made to spread the implementation of budget boundaries across two years instead of doing it all in one year in an effort to reduce the harmful impacts of job losses and give some employees time to make adjustments.

The second part of that commitment, she said, was to discontinue the use of variable tax revenue — money from lottery taxes, for instance — to pay fixed costs, including predictable items like payroll, insurance and utilities. Chek added that she stands behind it as a solid policy.

“Budgeting with predictable revenue is safe, so as we move forward, we can rebuild from a stable foundation,” she said.

She explained that money from the state’s opioid fund should be used to restore damage and prevent further harm to society, adding that she supports programs that can show they make a difference and have measurable results. The fund exists, she said, because a court judged drug companies had committed criminal offenses against society.

“People are tired of seeing money go toward perpetuating problems,” she said. “I want to help result-focused operations be successful.”

Stability, relationships and infrastructure are the keys to business expansion in the county, she explained. Chek said her budget stability policies, relationships across state and federal pipelines and emerging infrastructure plans are in place, adding she has been honored to participate in the development of the Form 1 factory in Weirton and Current Hydro’s hydroelectric power plant in New Cumberland.

New water infrastructure in Newell and Weirton is in the works, she added, and long-awaited road improvement projects, including major bridge plans, are beginning.

“Industrial prospects seek stability, healthy infrastructure and diverse energy sources, and we have it all right here,” Chek said. “Hancock County is open for business — the time to act is now for companies who are looking for the best value in emerging markets.”

Jones, a Weirton resident, said he is running for commissioner because he cares deeply about the county and wants to see it continue to succeed and move in the right direction.

“I want Hancock County to be a place where families can build a life, where young people have opportunities and choose to stay and where our county continues to grow and thrive,” he said.

Jones pointed to his experience, adding he served eight years on Weirton City Council, four years as a state delegate in the 1st District, 40 years with the Weirton Water Department and on local boards. That background, he said, taught him how to work with people, solve problems and stay focused on what matters most to the county.

He said the county needs to take a close look at where its money is going, making sure every dollar is being used the right way. His priority, Jones added, will always be to protect essential services, including law enforcement, firefighters, emergency responders and infrastructure.

“These are the services our county depends on every day,” he said. “I do not support reducing funding for law enforcement or firefighters. These departments need the resources and support to do their jobs and keep the county safe.”

Jones added that the county must keep supporting important assets, including parks, the animal shelter, libraries, the sheltered workshop and programs like Extension and 4-H. He said he believes in being open and honest with the public, adding it’s important to be responsible with taxpayer dollars and make decisions that protect the county now and in the future.

Money from the state’s opioid fund, he said, should be spent where it will make the biggest impact. That includes, he added, supporting law enforcement officers, EMTs and firefighters who have to deal with the issues every day.

“They need the proper training and support to do their jobs safely and effectively,” Jones said.

Strengthening access to treatment programs, recovery services and local support groups is important, he said, as is working with the health department and other organizations to create a path toward treatment and recovery. He added officials need to continue evaluating how the money is being spent to ensure it’s truly helping people, saying a balanced approach is needed to support public safety and long-term recovery.

Jones said the county’s focus should include bringing in new opportunities and supporting those already here.

“Small businesses are the backbone of our county, and helping them grow is one of the best ways to create jobs right here at home,” he said.

Leveraging the county’s location — which offers easy access to Ohio, Pennsylvania and the Pittsburgh area — is important, Jones said, adding the region must be ready for growth with available sites, improved infrastructure and the ability to move quickly as opportunities are presented.

Quality-of-life issues are important, he explained.

Early voting in West Virginia begins April 29.