Robert Matheny Files to Run for Mayor of Bridgeport
By Jeff Toquinto on March 10, 2025
Former Harrison County Sheriff Robert Matheny has entered his name into the race for the position of City of Bridgeport Mayor.
The election is on June 10, 2025. The election is for the position of mayor and three seats on Council.
Earlier today, Matheny filed for the four-year term of mayor. Current Mayor Andy Lang, who is finishing up his second term, cannot run for a third term due to a city statute.
“After retiring from Sheriff, I explored several options where I felt I was capable and qualified to serve, which included city government in Bridgeport since it would be a natural fit,” said Matheny. “I’m a Bridgeport guy, my kids graduated from Bridgeport schools, and my grandkids
are in the school system. After conversation with friends and mainly family and a lot of prayers, this is the direction where I decided to I would like to give back to a community that’s been so great for us.
are in the school system. After conversation with friends and mainly family and a lot of prayers, this is the direction where I decided to I would like to give back to a community that’s been so great for us.
“If elected, I hope to focus on getting back to the basics, be more in tune with the citizens and the businesses on a personal level; more effort in transparency,” Matheny continued. “In public office, you can never please everyone but should be able to sit down and find resolutions, and work through them. I want Bridgeport to be a community-driven government and not a government-driven community.”
Matheny is essentially a lifelong resident of Bridgeport. The 1983 Bridgeport High School graduate has spent limited time away from the community.
Matheny’ post high school education is in tune with his professional career of nearly 40 years. He is a 1987 graduate of the West Virginia State Police Academy through Marshall, and a graduate of the FBI National Academy through the University of Virginia. His fire training was through the West Virginia University Fire Extension program.
Professionally, the 60-year-old served as a volunteer fireman for the Bridgeport and Anmoore Fire Departments. His initial start was in Anmoore, where he later became chief and finished up on that front with the Bridgeport VFD.
His first job in law enforcement was with the Bridgeport Police as a traffic control officer. In August of 1985, he became a full-time police officer in Anmoore and then had a stint in Belington. He came to work after that in Nutter Fort and then on to the Clarksburg Police Department in 1990 where he spent 20 years, mostly as a detective and retired as an administrative assistant to the chief. After that, he headed to Wheeling where he served three years as police chief and followed that with a job at the National White Collar Crime Center and the Stonewood Police Chief.
In 2017, he ran for sheriff and won. He just finished his second term as sheriff.
Matheny resides in Bridgeport with his wife Melissa. He is father to Robert Matheny II, Joe Matheny, Josh Matheny, and Dominick Matheny. There are also five granddaughters.
Already, Clayton Rice has filed for the seat of mayor. Jon Griffith had filed to run for mayor, but announced he is dropping out of the race land resigned, effectively immediately, from Council on Wednesday, March 5.
The Council seats of Griffith, John Wilson and Jason Campbell are also up. Campbell and Wilson filed to run for a another term, while Jesse Isner and Jaclyn Rominger have also filed.
Filing fee to run is $25 and due at the time of filing. The filing period began Monday, Jan. 13. Candidates have until 4 p.m. on April 10 to file, which is 90 days from the start of the filing period.
Additional information on filing requirements and procedures, absentee voting procedures, and other information can be obtained from the City Clerk’s Office. Individuals looking to become poll workers can also contact the City Clerk’s Office. City Clerk Lauren Rogers can be reached at 304-842-8235 or via email at lrogers@bridgeportwv.gov.
Information on the election can be found at the city’s Website by clicking HERE.
Editor's Note: Candidates filing for office can inform City Clerk Lauren Rogers to provide a phone number to Connect-Bridgeport and you will be contacted. Candidate stories will be done in the order in which they were filed if able to be contacted.
