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ELKINS -- Randolph County Commissioner David Kesling will continue to serve as Commission president in 2026 after he was voted in during the most recent regular meeting.
The county's three commissioners typically rotate into the role as County Commission president each year. Kesling served as president this past year and Cris Siler in 2024, leaving Chris See as the next man up.
See, who is still recovering from a leg injury that required extensive surgeries back in 2023, said he felt it was better for him to step aside this time around.
"I have kicked it around and I just don't feel that I'm capable of doing it again right now," See said. "I got a few more hurdles I gotta get over and then I will be ready and glad to be president again.
"I think we have a good working commission right now and we're all for the same cause -- the good of the county and the citizens of the county. We all work well together, and like I said, I'm just not quite there yet. I'm getting closer and getting better every day, but I'm not ready. I appreciate you guys asking me and giving me the opportunity."
See then nominated Kesling to be Randolph County Commission president for the year 2026. Siler seconded the motion and said, "I'm fine with that. I have a lot of things going on right now and you have done a good job with it the last couple of years. I think we will continue to be in good shape if you want to do it again."
Kesling mentioned how he recently closed one of the businesses he owns - the Great Harvest bakery in Elkins – and said he would be glad to continue as president in 2026.
"I will have more time next year and I agree, we do have a good relationship, not only between us, but with all the elected officials in the county," Kesling said. "I think if we ever needed anything, we could always go to any of them and ask. That takes a lot of pressure off of things. So yeah, I'm fine with being president again."
Kesling has now been elected commission president four times. He told The Inter-Mountain on Tuesday that he was honored to be chosen again.
"I'm happy that my fellow commissioners have entrusted me with another year as commission president," Kesling said. "This commission has a good working relationship and I've learned a lot over the past seven years as commissioner. I have made a lot of contacts throughout the state during that time and I plan on using them next year for some of the projects we want to work on in Randolph County."
The next Randolph County Commission meeting is scheduled for Jan. 8 and will begin at 1:30 p.m.