CLARKSBURG, W. Va. — With a 2-1 vote, the Harrison County Commission selected Rachel Romano to become the new Prosecuting Attorney.
“I appreciate the commission having faith in me, supporting me, having confidence in me,” Romano said. “I plan to work very hard to continue to show that I have the wherewithal to do this job.”
Romano has five years of experience as an assistant prosecutor in the county, grew up in the county, went to WVU before passing the bar in 2008 and currently resides in the county with her family –a factor that ultimately set her apart from other candidates.
Commissioner Bernie Fazzini made the nomination and, after a short executive session, newly appointed Commissioner Frank “Chunki” Angotti seconded the motion.
“I thought Rachel would be the best one of the remaining two that lived in Harrison County,” Fazzini said. “I’m looking for somebody who’s going to commit to the position, and run for reelection and give me 12 years, or 15 years of service.”
She will finish out the term of Joe Shaffer, who resigned in February to pursue private practice.
“I think that Rachel will make an excellent prosecutor,” Shaffer said. “I actually recruited her to come to the office when she was an intern for a full-time positions. She demonstrates the requisite skills, knowledge and judgement to have the office. I think she’ll do a wonderful job.”
The lone vote against came from Commission President Ron Watson, who preferred Susan Morris for the job. Watson claimed her work as Chief Assistant Prosecuting Attorney, her work serving as the interim prosecutor and having twice the experience Romano has made her the best candidate.
He also took issue with the fact that Romano’s father, David Romano has served on as a special prosecutor for the office for around 10 years, fearing it would appear to the public as if the “Good O’le Boy System” was in place.
“I respect their opinion,” Watson said. “That’s the reason you have three of us, and it was 2-1, which is fine. It just didn’t pass my ‘Smell Test.'”
It wasn’t immediately clear if the appointment would have any effect on cases David would be working on.
Romano said she is ready to prove herself and work hard to relieve any concerns about her experience.
“I have at least five and a half years under my belt of being in that office. So, I do have experience. It may not be as much as somebody that has been there longer than I, that may be older than I. I am qualified to do the job, I do have the experience and I have a lot of support, and I plan to work really, really hard to make up the difference for the years that I do lack.”
Shaffer’s term will expire at the end of 2016. Romano said she intends to then run for the position.