SALEM–During the May 6 primary, voters will decide which candidates will be on the ballot for At-Large City Councilman in November.

Four Republican candidates filed to run for At-Large Councilman including Dennis Plegge, Michael Weir, Trent Tice, and Jim Harrington; however, there are only three nominations available for Republican candidates in November.

Of the four Republican candidates only one, Dennis Plegge, 69, has previously held an elected office. Plegge, a 1974 Salem High School graduate served as Third-Ward City Councilman from 2019 through 2023, defeating the then incumbent Geoff Goll for the position. Prior to his election to council Plegge made an unsuccessful bid for city council in Bullhead City, Ariz. in 1997, Plegge also unsuccessfully challenged Mayor Cyndi Baronzzi Dickey for mayor in 2023.

Plegge continues to serve the community as the director of the annual Salem Super Cruise and feels that his tenure as Third Ward Councilman makes him qualified for the at-large position.

“Being a former city councilman, I believe I already have the experience and knowledge to make the right decisions to move the city in a positive direction,” said Plegge.

Plegge is married to his wife Barb with no children, and said he was seeking election “so [he] can continue serving the city of Salem.”

Michael Weir, 47, served in the United States Army for 27 years, retiring in 2023 as a Chief Warrant Officer 3, and currently works as a supervisor at Ergon West Virginia Inc. Weir is married to lifelong Salem resident Kimberly Weir, and has two adult children, Haile and Drew.

Weir holds a bachelor’s degree in business administration from Columbia Southern University and is currently working toward his master’s degree in organizational management. Weir said that while his children were still in school, he was active in coaching. Also, while previously not active in community activities due to limits on his time during his military service; now that he has retired, he intends to become more active within the community.

Weir said that he was qualified for council due to his “extensive experience in leadership, budget and cost management as well as a grounded vision in solving problems while mitigating risk.” He also said that he was seeking election because “now that [his] federal service is completed, [he] wants to serve in a local manner and be an advocate for policies that will promote a safe and prosperous city.”

When asked why voters should support him Weir said that his military and professional careers have prepared him to represent the people of Salem, and that if elected “will communicate and listen directly to the residents of Salem to hear concerns regarding safety, community actions, and the betterment of Salem as a whole,” and that he “is not afraid to question issues that do not pass the ‘common sense’ test.”

“I have a proven track record in military service and leadership that will feed into this city council position. I have held numerous assignments and appointments across various states and foreign countries that involved operations that promoted safety, security and the wellbeing of dozens of personnel at one time,” said Weir. “I am an active listener and will work with everyone in a respectful and humble manner. Respect for everyone is a huge priority for me and my character and moral compass will be shown in my service to Salem.”

Trent Tice, 47, is a Salem native and a Salem High School Alumni and holds a bachelor’s degree in history education from Bowling Green State University and a master’s degree in sports management and leadership from Lasell College. Tice worked in Tampa, Fla, as a high school history teacher, coaching high school basketball and football during that time, and now works as an inside salesman for his family company, Tri-State Tool & Hoist Inc. In addition to his professional career Tice serves as a Petty Officer 1st class in the United States Coast Guard Reserves at Station Erie in Erie, Pa.

Tice is married to his wife Kristen, with whom he has three children, Taven, Taryn, and Tory and said that he has been “blessed with the opportunity to volunteer time for a variety of youth sports programs including as a volunteer coach for Salem basketball and Salem youth basketball, along with helping the Salem XTra Mile Club.” Tice said that he is also proud to assist his daughter Taryn and the Salem Junior High Environmental Club clean trash in Salem’s public spaces.

Tice said he feels the broad range of experience he has developed through coaching, his professional career and serving as a Coast Guard reservist has equipped him to “make good decisions for the city of Salem.” He also said that since he had chosen to raise his family in Salem he had “a desire to serve and give back to my community in any way that [he] can.”

“I believe that my background as a history teacher, combined with my current sales experience, serves me well. I have different ideas that can help Salem to market and highlight its rich history and keep improving areas like its parks,” said Tice.

Tice said that he was seeking election because he wanted to “continue to grow and be attractive to businesses,” and to “see an increase in quality housing options to attract new businesses and new families to our city.”

“When I first moved back to Salem, my wife and I felt the strain that a lot of families feel when they are trying to find a house to accommodate their growing family, and I want to work to make this more achievable for those looking to call Salem their home,” said Tice.

Tice said residents should vote for him because he “will never claim to be an expert in any topic, but I will listen, gather information, and try and make wise decisions for our city,” and he is willing to ask the big question on Salem’s behalf.

“I’m also willing to ask the question–why not Salem? Why can’t Salem have the best business opportunities, housing market, best schools, best sports facilities, best restaurant and bar choices, shopping options, along with beautiful parks and recreational opportunities. We have several things, so why not Salem?” said Tice. “I will work to market these winning attributes that Salem has, improve on them where we can, and grow our community for the next generation.”

Jim Harrington is a Salem native and 1982 Salem High School alum and earned his bachelor’s degree in marketing from the Ohio State University before moving to Chicago, Illinois where he earned his MBA in finance and economics from the University of Illinois at Chicago prior to moving back to Salem in January of 2021. While in Chicago Harrington held several positions including a Teamster and dock supervisor at Roadway Express; a stockbroker; a clerk in the bond room of the Chicago Board of Trade; an analyst at Ibbotson Associates in Chicago; an analyst, and ultimately director of valuation research in Morningstar’s Financial Communications Business in Chicago; and a Director in Kroll. Harrington has also written or co-written six books about finance and asset class analysis and has been a contributing writer to “more than a dozen additional books,” and is co-creator of a financial website that provides U.S. and international cost of capital data to financial professionals worldwide.

Since returning to Salem Harrington has restored a historic home on South Lincoln Avenue where he lives with his father ,Paul, and his dog, Henry, and serves as a member of the Salem Rotary Club. Harrington also assisted in promoting the approval of the Salem School Levy, citing that experience as a motivating factor for his council bid.

“I had a wonderful experience going door-to-door and attending the planning meetings to help get the new Salem K-8 school levy passed. The new school is a big win for the parents and kids and the overall community of Salem, and it was great to be given the chance to help out with that,” said Harrington.

The three candidates who voters select for the Republican nomination in May will be joined in running for city council in November by Democratic candidate George Begalla who was uncontested for the Democratic nomination.