ST. CLAIRSVILLE – Incumbent Belmont County Commissioner Jerry Echemann won the Republican nomination for re-election to his seat by a margin of fewer than 300 votes Tuesday.

The race to be the GOP candidate for the seat was closely contested, but Echemann took the victory at the end of the night, according to unofficial vote totals from the county board of elections. Echemann captured 3,509 votes while challenger Vince Gianangeli received 3,226 votes.

The candidates campaigned hard, and Echemann started the night with a lead of more than 100 votes when absentee and early votes were counted, but that margin shrank as the night continued. Echemann’s lead was less than 80 votes at one point. When votes from the western portions of the county were counted, he pulled ahead once more.

After the results came in, Echemann spoke about the outcome.

“Definitely with a race this close, I was nervous in front of the television watching, but I’m just glad it fell my way. It’s nerve-wracking to go through an Election Night when you’re the candidate,” he said. “It’s an honor to have folks place their trust in you.

“I want to thank the Republicans of Belmont County who voted for me, and I want to especially thank the Belmont County Republican Party for their endorsement. I think that made a lot of difference in the race,” Echemann said.

The Belmont County Republican Party had endorsed Echemann. Gianangeli had secured the endorsements of several area unions.

“I had a lot of help. I think I needed that help. I worked very hard myself, and I know my opponent worked very hard, so you had two guys who worked super-hard to gain this Republican nomination,” he said.

Echemann will square off against Democratic challenger John “Jack” Regis Sr. in the general election on Nov. 8. Echemann said he is confident the job he has done so far will speak for itself.

“That is my best avenue to get myself in front of the voters, to just go in and do my job every week,” he said.

He also said he works well with Commissioners J.P. Dutton and Josh Meyer, both Republicans. “They see what we’re doing as a board, and we’re doing quite a bit. … We think we’re moving the county forward. I think it’s good that this board is going to stay together, and I think to some degree tonight’s results show that (voters) did not have a compelling reason to make a change on the board.”

He said the county is at a crucial point with several important issues to be addressed. Ongoing projects include a new water treatment plant that will make it possible to supply water to the city of St. Clairsville. Echemann hopes to see a new records department, demolition of some older buildings, and improvements to the courthouse grounds.

“We’re going to get a lot done, not only the rest of my first term, but in my second term,” Echemann said.