CHARLESTON, W.Va. — State lawmaker Lynne Arvon made the short walk from the House of Delegates where she has served since 2012 to the state Senate Tuesday morning where she attended her first floor session as 9th District State Senator.
Arvon (R-Raleigh) was appointed to the Senate earlier in the day by Gov. Jim Justice. She replaces Jeff Mullins who resigned his Senate seat for family and business considerations less than a week after the regular session began earlier this month.
“It’s happened really quickly,” Arvon told reporters on her way to her first Senate floor session.
She said she got a hint from the Justice administration last week that she may be appointed.
“They said to hold off on filing (for reelection) for the House. So I held off until I knew for sure what was going to happen. Now I’m going to go down (to the Secretary of State’s Office) and file for the Senate for the fall,” Arvon said.
The seat and its four-year term is up for election this year.
There’s now a vacancy in the 31st Delegate District where Arvon has served. That too will be filled by the governor.
Arvon said she was excited for a new opportunity.
“I’m looking forward to it. I’m going to miss by colleagues in the House but I’m very excited,” she said.
The 9th District is now represented by two women, Arvon and Senator Sue Cline (R-Wyoming). Arvon’s appointment makes four women in the 34-seat Senate.
Arvon was vice-chair of the House Government Organization Committee. Del. Danny Hamrick (R-Harrison) has been appointed to that position.