WHEELING — Denny Magruder officially launched his campaign Wednesday in the race to become the next mayor of the city of Wheeling.

The retired longtime executive director of the Greater Wheeling Sports and Entertainment Authority — which oversees WesBanco Arena and the Capitol Theatre — back in June became the first candidate to announce his intention of running for the Wheeling mayor’s seat. On Wednesday night, he officially kicked off his campaign before a full house of supporters that packed the upstairs event room at Generations Restaurant & Pub.

“Tonight, I am humbled and honored to officially kick off my campaign to be your next mayor of this great city,” Magruder said, prompting the packed room of supporters to erupt in boisterous applause. “I stand before you not as a politician, but as a proud member of this community — a community that has shaped me and given me the spirit of Wheeling.”

Since Magruder made the announcement of his candidacy in June, two other candidates — both current members of Wheeling City Council — have joined the race. Ward 4 Councilwoman Rosemary Ketchum launched her campaign in September, and Vice Mayor Chad Thalman — councilman representing Ward 1 — kicked off his campaign earlier this month.

The winner of the mayoral race will take office after current Mayor Glenn Elliott completes his second term at the end of June next summer. Elliott cannot run for re-election because of term limits. The municipal election will take place in May, and will not only determine the city’s next mayor, but also all six ward council seats.

“This is where the real work starts, and we’ll work very hard,” Magruder said Wednesday. “I have two good people who I’m running against. So we’re going to try to run a really good race and do what’s right for Wheeling.”

Family, longtime friends, business associates, some former workmates from WesBanco Arena and the Capitol Theatre, former and current community leaders, and a who’s who of Wheeling’s movers and shakers — both past and present, with a prevalent “old-school” representation of heavy hitters — gathered for Magruder’s campaign launch.

After a social mingle, the event began with a prayer delivered by Dawn Noble, who Magruder described as “a great friend” who among other things helped champion the Day of Prayer in Wheeling.

City resident Bob Dunlevy, former Ohio County School Board member and current member of the West Virginia Board of Education, introduced Magruder during Wednesday’s gathering.

“He’s the most honest person I’ve ever known,” Dunlevy said, noting that he was serving on what was then the board of directors for the Civic Center back when Magruder was first hired. Former Wheeling Mayor Jack Fahey also spoke in support of Magruder’s mayoral run.

“We know Denny,” Fahey said. “We know he’ll accept any responsibility. He is going to be a super mayor. He still speaks to us old guys — but he’ll speak to anybody in the city of Wheeling, because that’s the kind of person he is. He’ll get a lot of things done, and with the grace of God — he’ll do what the sign says behind me. Let’s all vote for Denny Magruder.”

Thanking his wife, Barb, their children and grandchildren, Magruder noted that, “if it wasn’t for my family, I wouldn’t be standing in front of you tonight, nor would I be the man I am today.”

His community also helped shape him, he said. Magruder became very emotional recounting a story from his days as a young man who grew up with a family that made its home in Center Wheeling and built a foundation for a happy life … until things abruptly changed on the evening of New Year’s Day 1969.

“Fire ripped through my childhood home,” he said, choking back tears, noting that several family members suffered “devastating injuries” in the blaze. “The home was lost. I thought the world had ended. I didn’t know if we could go on. I really didn’t. But this isn’t my story of tragedy. It’s my story of community.”

In the weeks and months that followed, the community rallied around the family providing financial, physical and spiritual support that was “all so desperately needed” at that time, he said.

“This community lifted us up when we could not stand on our own,” Magruder said. “Thus, I think I’m truly a product of this city, and the neighbors and the elements. Wheeling has given me so much over these many years, and I owe much of who I am because of the heart of this community. Now I stand here ready and eager to give back to this city that has given me so very much.”

He said his campaign will be centered around a theme that is close to his heart: “Rebuilding Wheeling Together.”

“It’s not just a slogan, folks,” he said. “It’s a commitment to a vision where progress is not only essential, but executed with the utmost care for the people who live here and make Wheeling their home. We will rebuild Wheeling, but unlike what’s happening today, we’ll do it together.”

Magruder noted that the city’s downtown is going through a needed transformation, but it is being done in a manner that is disruptive to business owners, downtown workers and commuters. He said the Downtown Streetscape Project’s massive construction zone has created a “parking nightmare” and that some “businesses are struggling” to stay afloat through what has in many cases become more than just a temporary inconvenience.

“If I’m elected mayor, I am committed to bringing this very necessary project to a most expeditious completion,” he said. “It’s essential for our survival. I believe in progress, but it should never come at the expense of our citizens’ livelihoods.”

Magruder said he has been hearing concerns from citizens and is listening to the many daily challenges they face in the city.

“Together, we can revitalize our city without causing unnecessary hardships,” Magruder said. “We can create a downtown that thrives — where businesses flourish and residents feel safe and proud of their city. We need change, but not change for the sake of it. We need thoughtful, strategic and inclusive progress that benefits everyone and not just a few.”

With decades of leadership experience in project management, Magruder said his ability to bring different stakeholders from many strategic groups together is something that will help him in a new role with the city.

“I think in my career, I’ve always thought of myself as a quarterback,” he said. “I can hand the ball off — I don’t try to do it alone. I try to keep the best people around me. It’s not always the same people, because different projects require different skill sets.

“I don’t have any magic wands. You’re going to get me, and I hope my career has spoken to what I believe in. And that’s to build change, to attack problems, to do some strategic thinking and do everything we can. Too many people make promises that they can’t deliver. I will make the effort — that I promise.”