CHARLESTON, WV (LOOTPRESS) – The Republican State Executive Committee of West Virginia voted unanimously Saturday to formally disavow former Delegate David “Elliott” Pritt (R-Fayette) as a Republican candidate and representative of the party, marking the first time in the party’s history that it has taken such action against a candidate.
The vote comes after a federal criminal complaint was filed against Pritt on July 22, 2026, alleging a sustained pattern of grooming and sexual exploitation of a child.
Following the vote, West Virginia Republican Party Chairman Josh Holstein praised the committee’s decision.
“Today the West Virginia Republican Party made the right and moral decision to put aside partisan politics and side with basic human dignity,” Holstein said. “Our actions today prove that we are serious about our convictions and hold true to those core values.”
The motion to disavow Pritt was introduced by newly elected WVGOP Co-Chairman Tony Hodge, who presented the disavowal letter and addressed committee members before the vote
“This is a matter that none of us wished to face, but that all of us have a duty to address,” Hodge told the Committee. “These allegations are detailed, they are serious, and they describe conduct that has no place near public trust, no place in this party, and no place in the life of any child in West Virginia. This body has never in its history voted to disavow a candidate. That fact alone tells you how rare, and how necessary, this moment is.”
Hodge said the committee’s action was intended to make clear that Pritt no longer has the party’s support.
“Our vote today would formally remove Elliott Pritt as a candidate and representative of this party. It is also our intent, and our expectation, that this action be presented to the State Election Commission as clear evidence that Mr. Pritt no longer carries this party’s endorsement, in fact, that we are disavowing him, so that the Commission may act with the full knowledge of where we stand as the West Virginia Republican Party,” Hodge said.
The West Virginia State Election Commission is scheduled to meet Aug. 7 to consider Pritt’s disqualification from the November general election ballot.
Hodge also said the alleged victim should remain the party’s primary concern.
“Before politics, before ballots, before any of the practical matters we have handled today, there is a child who was allegedly harmed and exploited,” Hodge said. “Our first obligation is to her, and to every family in this state who trusts us to hold our office holders to a higher standard. We as a party must boldly proclaim that this kind of abhorrent behavior will never be tolerated among our membership.”
