CHARLESTON, W.Va. — Senator Jeff Mullins, a Republican state senator from Beckley, plans to resign his position today.
Those who know Mullins say he has been challenged to balance his legislative work with his own business. He is the president of Employers’ Innovative Network, which provides human resources services to small businesses
His district covers Raleigh, Wyoming, and McDowell counties.
MORE: Senator Mullins Resignation Letter
Mullins, who goes by the nickname “Bubblegum,” played basketball for Bluefield State College from 1987 to 1989 and earned his business administration degree.
He was first elected to the Senate in 2014, defeating incumbent Democrat Mike Green. He has served as vice chairman for Finance.
Potential replacements for Mullins would be named by local Republican executive committee members, and then Gov. Jim Justice would make a final decision.
Justice has already named a couple of new senators by virtue of hiring some incumbents to serve in his administration.
Chief of Staff Mike Hall, a Republican, had been the Senate Finance chairman. Senator Ron Miller, a Democrat and a Greenbrier County resident like Justice, took a role as agriculture liaison for the governor.
In September, Justice selected Mark Drennan to fill the Senate seat that was vacated by Hall.
Stephen Baldwin, who had been serving in the House of Delegates, was named to the Senate to fill the seat vacated by Miller.