BECKLEY, WV (LOOTPRESS) – Delegate Brandon Steele, a Republican from Raleigh County and current Chairman of the House Committee on Government Organization, announced that he will seek election as Speaker of the West Virginia House of Delegates after the November election.
In a statement released today, Steele said, “Based upon the inability of our leadership to accomplish the policy objectives our constituents elected us to achieve, I will seek election as Speaker of the House after the November election. I have already informed the current Speaker of this last week, and I feel this time is crucial to solving the problems before us. We must focus on achieving the goals and desires of our constituents as we have promised in the past. I believe our progress is stalled under the current leadership and a new direction and focus are necessary. That is evident from our inability to accomplish the objectives of the special session at the end of July. I will continue to serve in my present role as long as the current Speaker desires. It is of the utmost importance that we complete the work of the special session. However, we must work toward the future of our State. With that in mind, I have already begun work with my fellow caucus members to outline a mission and build a leadership team that will propel West Virginia forward. With new leadership, I am confident that we will be able to accomplish the goals and desires of the people of West Virginia and bring about sound, conservative policy changes in our State.”
The Speaker of the House of Delegates is elected every two years after the General Election by the incoming members. The current Speaker, Roger Hanshaw, (R) Clay, was elected Speaker in 2018 after the departure of then House Speaker Tim Armstead. The General Election in West Virginia will be held on November 8, 2022. While Steele is unopposed in his election to House District 42, Hanshaw is opposed by ACT party candidate Laura McGinnis in House District 62.
