CHARLESTON, W.Va. — Gov. Jim Justice has appointed a new delegate.
Trenton C. Barnhart of St. Marys was appointed to replace former Delegate Jason Harshbarger, R-Ritchie, who resigned last month to take a new job.
Barnhart is a lifelong resident of Pleasants County and went to St. Marys High School.
He is a 2018 graduate of the University of Charleston, where he studied political science and government. He has been going to UC’s School of Business and Leadership, pursuing his masters of business administration.
He has been working as a compliance auditor with the state Auditor’s Office. He served as a legislative analyst for the House Education Committee during the most recent legislative session.
Harshbarger resigned August 14 to prepare for a new job as a lobbyist with his employer, Dominion Resources.
Harshbarger has been an employee of Dominion Resources for the past 14 years and now has become the state policy director.
By state law, Harshbarger will not be allowed to lobby the Legislature for a year.
Harshbarger was elected to the House in 2016 and started serving in 2017. He was re-elected in 2018. He has served as chairman of the Natural Resources Committee.
The House seat was previously occupied by another Republican, Woody Ireland.