WEST VIRGINIA (LOOTPRESS) – After much careful consideration, I’ve come to the conclusion that the best way for me to serve the constituents of the 61st District and the people of West Virginia is for me to change my party affiliation to Republican.
The emphasis within the House Democratic caucus has become primarily focused on politics and optics, rather than good policy that helps the people of West Virginia. I do not drive 4 ½ hours to Charleston for politics and optics. The people of Berkeley County elected me to deliver good policy and that is my number one priority.
The West Virginia Republican Party has made it abundantly clear that their top priorities are limiting the role of government, reforming our state’s tax structure to help hard-working West Virginians, and creating a more friendly business climate to attract well-paying jobs to our state. These are issues that I have always fought for and will continue to do so.
I look forward to continuing to work with my colleagues on both sides of the aisle to make West Virginia a better place to live, work, and raise a family.
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House Speaker Roger Hanshaw, R-Clay, and members of his leadership team today issued the following statements in response to the announcement by Delegate Jason Barrett, R-Berkeley, that he was changing his party registration to Republican.
“We’re thrilled to welcome Delegate Barrett to the Republican Party and House GOP caucus,” Speaker Hanshaw said. “Jason and I have always enjoyed a good working relationship, despite our different political affiliations, and I know we’ll be able to accomplish even more together now. As a small business owner, Jason knows how to meet a payroll and expand a business in this state, and that perspective will be invaluable as we continue to work to advance legislation that will make West Virginia the most attractive place for job creators, entrepreneurs and innovators.”
“Delegate Barrett was always a pleasure to work with when he sat across the aisle, so with him now joining our caucus I know we’ll be able to continue to working together to make West Virginia a better place,” said House Majority Leader Amy Summers, R-Taylor.
“We’re excited to welcome Delegate Barrett to the Republican Party,” said House Finance Committee Chairman Eric Householder, R-Berkeley. “Jason has always demonstrated that his first priority is the people of his district and how he can best serve them. Because of that, we’ve been able to work together over the years on our common goals of making the Eastern Panhandle – and all of West Virginia – the best place to live, work and raise a family. Now that he’s formally joining our caucus, we’ll be able to work even more closely together to accomplish those goals and do great things for the people of our region.”
