CHARLESTON, W.Va. — Austin Gessel is the newest Kanawha County Commissioner after being sworn in inside the commissioner chamber.
Gessel’s swearing-in on Thursday brought a contentious period for the commission to an end, and he’s excited to serve.
“I’m happy the executive committee put me in this opportunity as well too, and I’m eager to work for Kanawha County. A lot to learn, short endeavor, but I am ready for this, and I’m ready to support Kanawha County,” he said on 580 Live with Dave Allen.
Gessel will finish out the term of former commissioner Lance Wheeler, who left to take over the Kanawha County Emergency Ambulance Authority. The Kanawha County Republican Executive Committee submitted three nominees to the commission, and each sitting commissioner was permitted to strike one nominee.
On the day of the meeting to fill the seat, commissioners Ben Salango and Natalie Tennant received letters from Gessel and fellow nominee Edward Burgess saying they would refuse to serve if selected. That left Jared Page, the Republican nominee for the seat in the upcoming general election, as the last remaining nominee.
Tennant stated in the meeting she felt the letters were an attempt to circumvent procedure and struck Page’s name. With Salango striking Burgess, Gessel was named the new commissioner and the following day released a statement saying he would serve out Wheeler’s term.
“I was prepared to step down day one. Thankfully, I had a great conversation with Jared Page. He was actually the first person to call me and go, ‘Hey, thank you for your support. Thank you that you’re there for me. I know you wanted me to be picked, but Kanawha County needs you,’” he said.
At age 27, Gessel is believed to be the youngest commissioner in Kanawha County’s history and one of the youngest active in the state. He believes that his youth, as well as his status as the only Republican on the commission, can be an asset.
“I bring a new perspective, a new perspective of a generation that sometimes may think their voice isn’t heard, so I’m honored to represent, and also I’m the only Republican on the commission too. I think that’s important. If I, let’s say, wasn’t a part of this and, let’s say, I did step down or something, Republicans wouldn’t have an opportunity to have a representative until probably the general election,” he said.
Gessel steps in to serve the western section of Kanawha County, which includes his hometown of St. Albans. He hopes to make connections with the people in his district during his time as their representative.
“I love St. Albans. I love Nitro and Cross Lanes. I love everywhere, and they’re all good people here. I am beyond excited to represent them for five months, short endeavor, but we’re going to make the five months very fruitful,” he said.
With his term set to expire at the end of the year and Page on the ballot as the Republican nominee, Gessel knows his stint on the commission will be short. Keeping that in mind, he already has his eyes set on his next political pursuit.
“I would love, love, love if I could have a chance to be a councilman in St. Albans. That would be first priority, being a councilman, maybe council at-large. We’ll see,” Gessel said.
Gessel’s first meeting as a Kanawha County commissioner is on September 17.