CHARLESTON, WV (LOOTPRESS) – The fast track to overrule state law in the appointment of a 19th District Delegate is now running under a caution flag.
The initial round of a dispute between the Wayne County Republican Executive Committee and the State GOP Committee appears to have been won by the county.
In an order released this afternoon, the court granted a motion by the attorney for Wayne County GOP Chair Jeff Maynard to expedite the case. They also ruled that attorneys for Governor Jim Justice must show cause why Maynard’s request for a Writ of Mandamus should not be granted.
At issue is the Wayne County House of Delegates seat left vacant by the resignation of Republican Derrick Evans.
With Evans’ resignation, Maynard followed state law, convened representatives of the 19th Delegate District Executive Committee and they forwarded three names as potential replacements. Those were sent to Justice on January 14.
But on January 21, Acting State Republican Chair Roman Stauffer conducted new interviews and had two committee members select three names. Two weird the same as the first submission — Mark Ross and Chad Shaffer.
On Stauffer’s list, Josh Booth replaced Jay Marcum. Justice ignored the county list and named Booth to the position.
But the court stopped that when addressing the Writ motion.
First, however, the court granted Maynard’s request for an expedited hearing. They then set a hearing for February 9 on a Rule to Show Cause which essentially requires Justice to show why Maynard’s petition should not be granted.
Attorney John Bryan of Union is representing Maynard.
The order further stayed the appointment of Booth, thus leaving the seat vacant until at least February 9.
Justice William Wooton disagreed with both the expedited relief and the issuance of a rule to show cause. Wooton considered the matter moot.