WASHINGTON — President Donald Trump announced nine candidates for U.S. Attorney nominations Friday, including his former West Virginia campaign chairman to oversee the Southern District of West Virginia.
Michael Stuart was responsible for leading Trump’s 2016 presidential campaign in the state. He previously served as chairman of the West Virginia Republican Party from 2010 to 2012.
Stuart was also the chairman of the West Virginia Presidential Debate Commission, an organization that pushed for holding a presidential or vice presidential debate in Charleston during the 2016 presidential election.
Stuart told MetroNews Friday evening it was humbling to be nominated by the president.
“As a son of a coal miner, as the grandson of coal miners growing up in a blue-collar household like I did, paying my way through college, this was just a true honor,” he said. “I’m proud for my family as much as it is an exciting evening for me.”
The district consists of 23 counties, with the northernmost county being Wood County. The office also has four divisions: Charleston, Huntington, Beckley and Bluefield.
Stuart said he talked to U.S. Sens. Joe Manchin, D-W.Va., and Shelley Moore Capito, R-W.Va., the latter of whom praised the nomination.
“Michael Stuart is an excellent choice to serve as the next U.S. Attorney for the Southern District of West Virginia,” Capito said in a statement. “His impressive professional experience, as well as his commitment to acting honorably and ethically, make him uniquely qualified to serve the people of West Virginia in this capacity.”
Stuart would not go into detail about the conversation he had with Manchin, but said he had a “very positive discussion.”
“I have great faith in both of our senators and the United States Senate, and I look forward to the confirmation,” he added.
According to a White House press release, Stuart and the other eight nominees share Trump’s vision for “Making America Safe Again.”
Stuart is a graduate of West Virginia University and earned his law degree from the Boston University School of Law.