Republicans retain supermajority in West Virginia Legislature | News, Sports, Vacancies

MORE COVERAGE — In 2025, the state Senate Democratic caucus will be moved to the first two seats in the front row on the left side of the Senate President’s podium, and the Democratic caucus will be reduced from three seats to two. — Stephen Allen Adams

CHARLESTON — Republicans won majorities in the West Virginia Senate and House of Delegates for the first time 10 years ago, after being in the political minority since the Great Depression. But fast forward to Tuesday night, and Republicans expanded their supermajority.

The 100-member House of Delegates grew from 89 Republicans to 91 Republicans, reducing the House Democratic caucus from 11 to nine members, according to a review of unofficial election results released by the West Virginia Secretary of State’s office.

Only 57 of the 100 seats were contested in Tuesday’s general election, with 43 uncontested. Of the 57 seats contested, 41 incumbents—six Democratic House members and 35 Republican House members—won their elections.

In the 34-member state Senate, where half the membership is elected every two years, Republicans increased their supermajority from 31 to 32, while the Democratic caucus in the Senate fell from three seats to two.

Senate Minority Whip Bob Plymale, D-Wayne, has decided to retire rather than seek re-election. Del. Rick Griffith, a Wayne Democrat, was vying for the 5th Senate District seat, which includes parts of Cabell and Wayne counties. But Griffith, a pharmacist and former mayor of Kenova, lost the race Tuesday to Republican Scott Fuller, a military veteran and retired law enforcement officer.

“We are recruiting a great new member in Scott Fuller,” said Senate Majority Whip Ryan Weld, R-Brook, chairman of the Senate Military Committee. “Inviting another veteran into the Senate to have the opportunity to serve and work on veterans’ issues with the rest of the veterans is a welcome opportunity.”

The Senate Democratic caucus is down to two: Senate Minority Leader Mike Woelfel, D-Cabell, and Democrat Joey Garcia, D-Marion. Garcia is a former official in Gov. Earl Ray Tomblin’s administration.

“I think we worked really hard and tried to get a message out to people that I think really resonated,” Garcia said. “Every time you win an election (this is my third), it is very humbling to have the trust of the people who send you to represent them. Earning that trust is very important to me.”

“Many of us who were in the Senate or House of Representatives previously knew Joey from his time in the Tomblin administration and know him as an accomplished lawyer and a good representative of his constituents,” Weld said.

Garcia is leaving the House to succeed state Sen. Mike Caputo, D-Marion, who has decided to retire at the end of his four-year term at the end of the year. Garcia was succeeded by his uncle Rick Garcia, the Democratic candidate for the 76th House District seat, defeating Republican John Dodds. Garcia said he was honored to follow in the footsteps of Caputo, who was once House Majority Whip.

“I just admire Caputo and learned a lot from him. He’s been a mentor to me over the years,” Garcia said. “I want to be the kind of representative he was. He answers people’s calls. He does a great job of serving constituents, but he protects people.”

The Democratic caucus in the House of Representatives lost two seats they previously held. Republican Tresa Howell defeated Thomas Jones in House District 52, representing parts of southern Kanawha County. The seat was filled by Rep. Larry Rowe, a Kanawha Republican who chose to resign rather than seek re-election. The 27th Griffith House District seat was won by Republican Michael Amos, defeating Democratic opponent Gina Milum and Libertarian Party candidate Craig Carpenter.

Rep. David Kelly, R-Tyler, watched the election results Tuesday night in Charleston with House Speaker Roger Hanshaw, R-Clay. Kelly, who ran unopposed in the general election, said Tuesday night’s election results, the number of uncontested races and two House Republican victories are a vote of confidence in the Republican supermajority.

“We’re dealing with how we can best serve the people of our counties and, more importantly, the people of the state of West Virginia, and I think the people of West Virginia will look at our platform and say this is what we do.” . kind of,” Kelly said.

“An example is that we have not lost a single sitting president. We actually picked up two more Republican seats,” Kelly continued. “It’s a big responsibility for Republicans, but I think we will rise to the occasion and continue to govern and pass legislation on important issues that people in our state are counting on us to do something about.”

In the Senate, Weld said gaining an additional seat for the Republican caucus would not lead to much political change. But adding a new member’s experience to the entire body will provide much-needed perspective when crafting legislation.

“If you look at it from a strategic perspective, not much will really change,” Weld said. “When you look at it on a tactical level, it changes everything in terms of the experience and knowledge that Scott brings and the talent that he brings to our congregation.”

During his time in the Tomblin administration, Garcia served as the liaison between the executive branch and the Democratic-controlled Legislature before Republicans gained the majority after the 2014 elections. Garcia has watched Democratic seats decline over the past decade.

“I think it’s a little sad that we haven’t had more success across the state,” Garcia said. “This has been a tough election for Democrats everywhere—not just in West Virginia, but across the country. But that being said… I don’t think nine and two will be much different at all, to be honest.

Garcia said it will be important for Democratic lawmakers to stand up for their constituents and their party’s beliefs. But the key to being a good legislator—regardless of party—was building relationships with Republicans on the other side of the aisle.

“When it comes to how I think about being a legislator, it’s really about every issue,” Garcia said. “The reason I’m a Democrat is because we usually come to the same conclusions on bills. And I think it’s up to us – and certainly in the Senate with Senator Woelfel and myself – to just work on those relationships. I know he does it and I did it for a long time too. And I think that will help us achieve success for the people who live in our neighborhoods.”

Both Weld and Kelly agreed. While Republicans will still have procedural votes to quickly pass legislation, Weld and Kelly said relationships with Democratic lawmakers across the aisle remain important.

“From my perspective, it never mattered where a good idea came from,” Weld said. “If it’s something that a majority of the Senate thinks is a good idea, who cares whether it came from someone who was on the side of the minority or the majority? If it’s an idea that we can support and that we think is good for the people of West Virginia, then let’s do it. And I think the Senate really always operates that way.”

“If you look at Speaker Hanshaw and just look at his past experience as our speaker, he has always been willing to work with our Democratic colleagues whenever possible,” Kelly said. “Personally, I am willing to do the same and have worked with them on legislation that we can both agree on.”

“We’re all here as senators or delegates, so you just can’t ignore someone because when you do that, you’re ignoring their constituents,” Weld continued. “We’re here to do everyone’s job, not just the people who voted for us or have the same party affiliation.”

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