CHARLESTON, W.Va. — What was the first day of the legislative session like for a near record number of newcomers?
“A whirlwind that’s how I would describe it,” said the House’s youngest delegate 18-year-old Saira Blair (R-Berkeley). “I had half an orange and seven walnuts during the day.”
Del. Joe Statler (R-Monongalia) is no newcomer to government. He served for years on the Monongalia County Board of Education but this was different.
“I expected a lot and we got a lot of action today. A little different than I expected but I loved it,” Statler said.
Putnam County GOP Del. Michel Moffatt said he got to see partisanship right from the beginning with the opposition the Democrats posed on the Republicans rule change proposals.
“It was a little bit too procedural with some of the gamesmanship that was going on, but hey, we’re getting started, we’re excited and we have a lot to get done,” Moffatt said.
Del. Blair has probably been the most talked about newcomer because of her age, even Gov. Earl Ray Tomblin noted the accomplishment in his State of the State Address Wednesday night.
“I was not expecting that at all, a little overwhelming,” Blair said. “I’m honored and I’m glad to be part of the team. I do not want to look at my age. I want to be thought of as any other delegate and work as a team to get things accomplished.”