CHARLESTON, W.Va. — There could be as many as a dozen Republican members of the House of Delegates who decide not to run for their same seats next year, a GOP consultant said Tuesday on MetroNews “Talkline.”
The sitting delegates will either run for the Senate, other offices or decide to get out altogether, Greg Thomas said.
The last two years have produced very long legislative sessions when you add up extended sessions and special sessions looking mainly at budget issues. Thomas said those can take their toll.
“I think it’s less about the anxiety of the budget and more about time constraints,” Thomas said. “I’ve heard that among some folks.”
The transition from a Democrat-controlled legislature to a Republican-controlled legislature has also required more time investment, Thomas said.
“I think as the legislative leadership continues to get a handle on those issues and hopefully be able to minimize the time they have to spend a way from home hopefully we can smooth that out a little bit,” Thomas said.
Thomas expects no difficulty in candidate recruitment, adding Democrats shouldn’t get excited about a new crop of Republicans seeking office in the House.
“There’s absolutely chance that we’ll lose majority in either house. That’s an absolute pipe dream,” Thomas said. “The political momentum for the Republicans is just too great to overcome.”
Thomas also expects the openings to come in districts that are currently strong Republican districts.
Republicans hold a 64-36 advantage in the House.
West Virginia Republican Party Chairman Conrad Lucas told MetroNews “Talkline” Host Hoppy Kercheval earlier this week he plans to personally contact every Republican House member soon to find out for certain their plans for the next election. After that, the party can begin recruiting to fill any vacancies.