A political newcomer has filed for precandidacy in Charleston's 2018 mayoral race.
Andrew "Andy" Backus, who works in adult education at Garnet Career Center, has filed as an independent candidate interested running for mayor.
Possible candidates for public office are required by West Virginia state code to register a committee to accept campaign contributions. That's done through the precandidacy filing - Backus' is named The Committee to Elect Andy Backus.
Backus grew up in Charleston and graduated from George Washington High. He has degrees from West Virginia University and Marshall University.
He said the decision to run came after a family meeting between him, his wife, Jennifer, and their six children. Backus said they sat down together, and Backus told them he was considering running for office. He said he'd only do it if they were OK with it.
"I got seven yes votes, and that's what I needed," Backus said.
Backus said one of his main goals is to get people excited about city politics and elections. Less than 15 percent of registered voters participated in the 2014 city elections.
He said sometimes people spend too much time focusing on political experience when comparing candidates. He said the elections of President Donald Trump and Gov. Jim Justice prove people can get excited about candidates with less political experience.
"I think a lot of people are going to relate to someone like them running for office," Backus said.
He said one of his main goals will be "restoring hope" to the city by reimagining its future. He said they city should help talented residents turn their dreams into realities.
"We have a lot to offer," Backus said. "I love what we can do, but we can always do more."
He has plans - bringing back Charleston's Sternwheel Regatta, improving the city's ball fields and encouraging renovation of historic buildings throughout the city.
He said those plans will not be accomplished unless the city stops thinking, "What if," and starts working with people to better the area.
"We really need to reimagine what we could be instead of being happy with where we are now," Backus said.
Backus said he often witnesses people struggling on the streets while going to and from work, from those walking around with needles or looking for shelter. He said the city should partner with nongovernmental social service organizations and put money and resources into promoting charity, whether it's encouraging grants or providing real-estate properties through the Charleston Urban Renewal Authority.
"We don't need a new government office," Backus said. "We should put resources into helping these folks."
If elected mayor, Backus said one of his top priorities would be making the city more business friendly by bringing a "Chick-fil-a attitude" to city government.
"There's kind of a culture that it's a privilege to do business here," Backus said. "City government should treat businesses like we're privileged to have them."
He said he'd like to cut red tape for business owners and eliminate bureaucratic roadblocks that prevent or delay businesses from growing in the city.
He said he'd also like to celebrate and encourage city workers and reward them for their hard work with incentives.
"We should have a lean, streamlined government," Backus said. "But we shouldn't do that at the expense of city workers."
Backus is third person to file precandidacy paperwork for mayor, after Councilman-At-Large Andy Richardson and former tourism commissioner Amy Goodwin. Both are running as Democrats.
While Goodwin officially launched her campaign at an event in February, Richardson has not made an official campaign announcement.
Mayor Danny Jones has advocated for City Clerk J.B. Akers, a Republican, to run for the position. Akers has yet to file precandidacy paperwork, according to the city clerk's office.
Reach Ali Schmitz at
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