CHARLESTON, WV (LOOTPRESS) – Governor Patrick Morrisey said Saturday he will confer with legislative leaders to set a date for a special session if Delegate David Elliott Pritt does not resign following federal criminal charges against the Fayette County lawmaker.
Pritt, who also worked as a teacher in Fayette County, was arrested earlier this week on a federal charge of enticement of a minor.
The allegations have prompted responses from state leaders, including the suspension of his teaching certificate and his removal from House leadership and committee assignments.
On Saturday, Morrisey condemned the allegations in a statement.
“The allegations against Delegate Pritt are truly heinous at a level that’s hard to imagine,” Morrisey said. “If even slightly true, they should disqualify him from ever being around kids again. No person who did such things should be in public office or teach our kids.”
The governor also said he plans to move forward with a special session if Pritt remains in office.
“I will be conferring with House and Senate leadership in the upcoming days so that I can set an appropriate date for a special session, if the Delegate doesn’t resign first,” Morrisey said.
Pritt has been charged in federal court with enticement of a minor. The allegations remain unproven, and he is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty in court.
Secretary of State Kris Warner has said that under West Virginia law, Pritt remains eligible to appear on the general election ballot unless he is convicted of a disqualifying felony or voluntarily withdraws from the race.
House Speaker Roger Hanshaw has also called for Pritt’s resignation and removed him from all official roles connected with his service in the House of Delegates.
