FAIRMONT, W.Va. — The House of Delegates’ minority whip is running for state Senate.
Delegate Mike Caputo, D-Marion, announced Tuesday his Senate campaign. Caputo is running for the seat currently being held by Senate Minority Leader Roman Prezioso, D-Marion, who announced last month he will retire at the conclusion of his term next year.
The 13th District consists of parts of Marion and Monongalia counties.
“I will always work as hard as I can for you, and I will never, ever forget where I came from,” Caputo said in a press conference held at the Fairmont Holiday Inn Express.
Caputo, a former employee of the United Mine Workers of America, was elected to the House of Delegates in 1996.
He was charged in September with misdemeanor battery after kicking open the door to the House chamber and injuring doorman Logan Casterline. Caputo admitted to kicking the door in light of an anti-Muslim poster displayed during West Virginia GOP Day outside of the House chamber.
A hearing related to the March incident is scheduled for Thursday in Kanawha County Magistrate Court.