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Editor, News-Register:
Rosemary Ketchum won the mayoral debate last week. Several people in the audience -- interested local voters, onlooking state party reps, and most telling even some more engaged voters not in her camp or wearing other candidates' pins and hats -- all said it about the winner of Wheeling's 2024 Mayoral debate held April 18. She was most positively engaged with the audience, by both applause and laughter (on multiple occasions). She was upbeat and likable, delivered her remarks clearly and consistently, and conveyed both experience and leadership -- even to the other candidates on stage. Where other candidates fumbled on some less familiar topics or even their own closing statements, Rosemary was obviously knowledgeable about the issues asked by John McCabe and well-prepared to deliver her case.
More than a few attempted jabs rolled off her with some quick wit that got the crowd laughing; she even zinged one of JT Thomas' comments about a youth city council around into her favor, "that's such a good idea JT, that I already did it!" She and Vice Mayor Chad Thalman were a dynamic 'incumbent' duo in the middle of the stage, delivering more than one quite effective one-two punches defending the city's ongoing redevelopment. What's more, unlike multiple of her opponents, she courted both the general audience and her base without having to backtrack on her own initial answers about diversity, or simply engaging in race-baiting.
It was even written on their faces. Throughout and even after the debate Rosemary was positive, and energized, certainly in her element; while by the end of the debate the other candidates looked exhausted, and honestly more than a little defeated.
Vincent DeGeorge
Wheeling