Mike Gore Mike Gore

Michael R. Gore has proudly served as a County Commissioner since taking office in January 2021. His lifelong dedication to community service, his deep West Virginia roots, and his commitment to the people of Summers County define his leadership and character.

Mr. Gore was raised in Fairmont, West Virginia. During his youth, he was an active and dedicated member of the Boy Scouts of America, ultimately earning the rank of Eagle Scout. This achievement reflects his early promise as a leader and his strong sense of responsibility, perseverance, and integrity.

After high school, Mr. Gore returned to Hinton, West Virginia, where he worked alongside his father at the Bluestone Marina. He took classes at Concord College and WV University and then became involved with a technical skills program through the Summers County Career Center. This experience shaped his understanding of community connections and the value of local business.

In the 1970s, he founded his own business, Gore’s Auto Body, which served Summers County residents for decades. The shop became known for its high‑quality craftsmanship and dependable service until its closure in 2023, when Mr. Gore chose to dedicate himself fully to public service.

COMMUNITY INVOLVEMENT

Throughout his life in Summers County, Mr. Gore has been deeply involved in community organizations. He was an active member of both the Hinton Jaycees and the Kiwanis Club, contributing his time and leadership to local projects and civic improvement.

Mr. Gore has also devoted many years to volunteer fire service. He served with the Summers County Hinton Fire Department for 20 years and continues to serve today as a member of the Talcott Fire Department.

FAMILY

Mr. Gore is married to Sonya Murrell, the school counselor at Hinton Area Elementary School. She is well‑known in the community for her work with Summers County 4‑H and her service as a member of the Hinton Area Foundation.

Mr. Gore’s sons are also deeply connected to West Virginia. His son Thomas Gore resides in Summers County with his wife, Wendy, and their son, Connar. His oldest son Michael lives in Bruceton Mills, West Virginia, with his wife, Melanie, and their two children, Addison and Grayson Gore.

SERVICE AS COUNTY COMMISSIONER

Following the closure of his business in 2023, Mr. Gore committed himself fully to his role as a full‑time County Commissioner. Known for his hands‑on leadership, he attends community events throughout the year, supports local initiatives, and frequently volunteers his time to promote and uplift county programs.

Mr. Gore is widely recognized for photographing and sharing community events, helping highlight the positive happenings within Summers County. His support extends to numerous organizations and causes, including Summers County 4‑H, Hinton Area Elementary, the Three Rivers Avian Center, the Campbell Flannagan Murrell House Museum, the Graham House, the Summers County Animal Control & Welfare Project, Riverside Kitten Rescue, Toys for Tots, the Junior Gill Christmas Program, and the UXO military charity.

DEDICATION TO THE COMMUNITY

Mr. Gore is known for being available to the public 24 hours a day. He takes phone calls, texts, and messages at all hours, ensuring that citizens feel heard and supported. He works tirelessly to find answers and solutions whenever possible and is widely regarded as a commissioner who is willing to “roll up his sleeves” to help the people he serves.

Mr. Gore’s life and career reflect a deep and unwavering commitment to Summers County—its people, its heritage, and its future.

While Mr. Gore has many goals for the county, his current top focus areas include the following:

Emergency Services Improvements

Mr. Gore is the Commission point of contact for Summers County 9-1-1. He is also an active member on the Summers County Fire Board and Local Emergency Planning Committee (LEPC). With his leadership, the county has upgraded radio communications county-wide, started installation of a new 9-1-1 tower, continues to improve coverage and reliability of communications across the county, and continues to plan and prepare for incidents. 

Parks and Recreation

Mr. Gore is the Commission point of contact for Camp Summers, John Henry Park, and Summers County Campgrounds. In this role, he works directly with these major county-operated facilities, ensuring they remain maintained, safe, and accessible for public use. Gore leads efforts to maintain and expand county parks, recreational facilities, and community programming, helping preserve natural spaces and support youth and family activities.

K900 - Animal Control

Mr. Gore has worked alongside the Sheriff's Department and local humane society to secure a holding facility ("K900") for dogs taken in by Animal Control. Since Mr. Gore has become involved, the county has gone from not having any space dedicated to holding dogs to then having a temporary space that had five kennels and now the county has a permanent facility that has seven kennels and four outdoor runs. The County has a Memorandum of Understanding with the local humane society to assist in the vetting of the dogs as well as moving them to their next destination, whether it be a foster home, an adopted home, or to another rescue partner.

Solid Waste Authority

Mr. Gore has been involved with creation and strengthening of the Summers County Waste Authority. Under his leadership and the cooperation of fellow commissioners, the county established a dedicated waste authority and purchased a facility to support its long-term operations.