VIENNA, W.Va. — Wood County’s David Nohe has resigned his seat in the state Senate to become a member of the state Parole Board.
The resignation was effective Sunday, Gov. Earl Ray Tomblin appointed the Republican Nohe Monday. The work of the parole board has become interesting to Nohe in recent years, he said.
“This is like the perfect fit,” he told MetroNews Monday. “It’s something that truly in my heart I’m fascinated with and truly looking forward to working on the parole board.”
Nohe approached the governor after new Parkersburg Mayor Jimmy Colombo resigned his seat to take the mayor’s job.
Nohe is a former detective with the Wood County Sheriff’s Department and the former mayor of Vienna. He served as vice-chairman of the Senate Judiciary Committee in the most recent legislative session.
“From serving in his hometown community to representing constituents on a statewide level, David’s professional background exemplifies a life of public service,” Gov. Tomblin said in a news release. “I believe he will continue to serve the people of West Virginia well in his new role on the West Virginia Parole Board.”
The long hours in the Senate caught up with Nohe, he said. He drove back and forth to Vienna each night to help care for elderly parents.
“It’s one of those things. You have to put priorities first and my parents have taken such great care of me all of my life and I need to care for them,” Nohe said.
The nine-member parole board is busy, but Nohe said he should be able to be at home most evenings with his parents.
There are more than two years left on Nohe’s term. His replacement should have political experience, he said.
“I want to see somewhere in there who has been tested, who has won elections and someone I think can hold that seat,” he said. “I know a couple of ones who I think would be fantastic in that role.”
The 3rd Senatorial District executive committee will make recommendations to the governor who will choose Nohe’s replacement.
The friendships in the Senate have been priceless, Nohe said.
“There just didn’t seem to be very many party lines as far as relationships between senators. They were always there for me and I was there for them and that part is sad,” he said.