CHARLESTON, W.Va. — Former West Virginia Tourism Commissioner Amy Shuler Goodwin is now officially a candidate for the Mayor of Charleston.
Goodwin, alongside her husband Booth Goodwin and her two sons, filed to run Thursday at the City Clerk’s Office.
“Not only did I want to do this for myself, but I wanted to do it for every woman and every family in the City of Charleston that wants exactly what I want — to be able to live in a community that is a true community and brings in the assets and the talents of all of our great people,” she told MetroNews.
Goodwin, a Democrat, becomes the third mayoral candidate to file in Charleston’s Primary Election set for May 8.
City Clerk JB Akers, a Republican, and Councilman Andy Richardson, a Democrat, have also signed the necessary paperwork to run for the mayor’s seat.
Goodwin was the first candidate to announce her candidacy for mayor in Feb. 2017. Surrounded by kids in Charleston, she said she wants to create a better future for children, promote tourism and spur economic development.
Since then, Goodwin has been out on the campaign trail going door-to-door. She said people want to see change.
“They want to see us grow and thrive, but they also want to take chances. They want to do something different. They want new energy and new leadership. The time has come to make that happen,” Goodwin said.
Longtime Mayor Danny Jones has said he will not seek re-election. His term ends in Jan. 2019.
Some of Goodwin’s top priorities include tackling the drug epidemic and spurring economic growth in all areas of Charleston — not just downtown.
“From the West Side, to Kanawha City, to South Hills, to the East End,” she said. “Downtown is important, but we can’t forget why people want to live here. You want to live in great communities surrounded by great resources.”
Goodwin formerly worked as the communications director for both Gov. Earl Ray Tomblin and Gov. Bob Wise. She also served as chief spokesperson for a presidential candidate, a congressman and mayor of Charleston. Goodwin was also a news anchor and reporter for WCHS-TV in Charleston and WTRF-TV in Wheeling.
She said her experience is what sets her apart from the other candidates.
“My experience says it all. I’m the candidate that’s going to bring new energy, new leadership, new ideas. We have to be willing to take those chances to do something different to create a great momentum of change,” Goodwin said.
Saturday is the last day to file for Charleston’s election.