CHARLESTON, W.Va. — Known for his three decades as South Charleston mayor, Richie Robb is preparing to make an impact at the state Capitol.
A Democrat, Robb unseated Republican incumbent Anne Charnock in the unexpired 17th State Senate District race this November. Robb garnered 14,732 votes, good for 53 percent of the vote.
Robb said on MetroNews “Midday” on Monday that it’ll be unique to become a lawmaker in Charleston.
“I was mayor of South Charleston for 32 years,” Robb said. “I came up here a lot to testify or make comments on bills affecting local government and economic development.”
Robb was elected as South Charleston mayor when he was 29 years old, going on to serve eight terms in the role. His successor, Frank Mullens, recently secured his sixth term as mayor.
Robb pointed to a shift locally, as well as nationally, to explain the support he received in the election.
“I think they want change,” Robb said. “They certainly did in the constituency I was running and approximately half of Kanawha County. I think they want to see things change, and so do I.”
“I think the country and state are veering off in the wrong direction, and I’m hoping to steer it back onto a different direction,” Robb added.
State Senate-elect in the 13th District John Williams and Robb boost the Democratic Party’s numbers in the Senate from two to four.
Robb said he’ll draw upon his time in South Charleston to serve in the legislature.
“I think the thing I learned, and I think will serve me well is listening to people,” Robb said. “I don’t have all the answers. I don’t know that anybody does. But you listen to people. You get a feel of what they want. And you take, of course, your own observations. But at the end of the day, it is your call.”
Robb will take office in January. He said that addressing public education is a “critical factor” in West Virginia going forward. He said that education and economic development go “hand in hand.”
“I don’t think the two are mutually exclusive. In fact, I think a solid public education system will bolster economic development, economic development in a a state whose economic resources have dwindled in in the past years.”