Richard Strick, who announced on Nov. 22 that he will seek a second term as mayor of Huntington, will run again as an independent.
In 2019, Strick became the first person not affiliated with a major political party to be elected mayor of Huntington. Friends of Richard Strick, the mayor’s campaign organization, confirmed on Nov. 28 that he will retain that status for the 2023 election.
“Mayor Strick will be filing as an independent,” said a statement from the organization.
Strick bested Republican candidate Larry Buzzard and independent Johnnie Hiles in the 2019 Municipal General Election, collecting 49.7 percent of the vote. His political career began in 2015 when, running as a Republican, he emerged the winner in a three-way contest for Huntington’s 3rd District City Council seat, defeating Democrat Bill Oswalt and independent Scott Thornsberry.
The 2023 filing period for the May 2 primary election opens Jan. 4 and closes Feb. 3 for candidates running either as Democrats or Republicans. Independent candidates to not take part in the primary election. The general election next year will take place on Tuesday, Nov. 7.
