CHARLESTON, WV (LOOTPRESS) – The chairman of the Fayette County Republican Executive Committee is asking the West Virginia State Election Commission to disqualify former Delegate David Elliott Pritt from the November general election ballot following Pritt’s continued incarceration on federal charges.
In a letter dated Tuesday, July 28, Fayette County Republican Executive Committee Chairman Greg Ingram requested that election officials remove Pritt from the ballot and allow the local Republican Party to nominate a replacement candidate.
“I have reviewed the honorable Kris Warner’s statements concerning delegate Elliott Pritt resignation from the House of delegates. However, He has not withdrawn from the October ballot for election to another term in the House of delegates. Delegate Pritt, being incarcerated at this time, is unavailable for discussion on the fall ballot issue, and unavailable to serve the people of West Virginia,” Ingram wrote.
Ingram asked the State Election Commission to disqualify Pritt from the ballot, writing, “The Fayette County Republican Executive Committee is respectfully requesting this election commission disqualify David Elliott Pritt from the general election ballot because he cannot serve in any capacity so long as he is incarcerated.”
He said removing Pritt from the ballot would allow Republicans to nominate another candidate.
“This will enable the Fayette County Republican Party to replace David Elliott Pritt on the fall ballot with another well qualified candidate. The residents of Fayette County and the great state of West Virginia deserve to have a choice who will serve them for the next two years,” Ingram wrote.
He concluded the letter by urging election officials to act quickly.
“I respectfully encourage this Commission to address this issue as soon as possible to disqualify David Elliott Pritt from the fall 2026 general election.”
The request comes days after Secretary of State Kris Warner issued a statement explaining that under West Virginia law, candidates charged with crimes remain eligible to appear on the ballot unless they are convicted of a disqualifying felony or voluntarily withdraw. Warner said a felony conviction is a disqualifying factor for candidates seeking elected office, but candidates awaiting trial are presumed innocent and remain eligible to run if no other disqualifying condition exists.
Pritt, a now former Fayette County delegate and teacher, appeared in federal court Monday, where he waived his preliminary hearing and was ordered detained pending further proceedings. He is charged in federal court with enticement of a minor. The allegations remain unproven, and Pritt is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty in court.
