CHARLESTON, W.Va. — Emotions overwhelmed Riley Moore on Monday inside the state Culture Center in Charleston. As his parents, wife and children watched, the Republican from Jefferson County was sworn-in as West Virginia’s next Treasurer.
Moore defeated six-term incumbent John Perdue in the November General Election to become the first Republican to hold the post of State Treasurer in several decades.
“I’m so proud of my family and everything they did to get me here. I wouldn’t have been here without them,” Moore told the media following the ceremony.
In a short speech, Moore touted his three-pillar plan for the office of accountability, modernization and transparency.
He said part of the modernization of the office will be his Jump Start Savings Plan, which will be the centerpiece of his office’s legislative agenda. The plan is geared towards those students who do not go to a four-year college after high school.
Moore said the program would cover tuition and allow those in technical and vocational schools to save money to purchase tools, equipment, training, licenses, and certifications as they come out of trade school.
Moore, who served in the House of Delegates from 2016 to 2018, believes the program would result in small business growth and be good for trade unions. He began his career working as a welder in a rock quarry maintaining the mining equipment.
Another form of modernization that Moore said he wants to change is for citizens to be able to pay property taxes online in every county.
“We have to find out a way that we can modernize the payment process here in West Virginia. I know that doesn’t sound like a huge thing but I think it is in the day-to-day interactions of individuals here in the state,” Moore said.
Other items on his agenda from day one he mentioned include the broadband expansion program, medical cannabis program, the unclaimed property program, and digging into finding savings.
His wife Mina, daughters Lena and Aislinn and parents Arch and Cathy joined the ceremony in what was a small, socially distanced crowd. Moore sworn into office by Judge Dan O’Hanlon.
Moore is the grandson of former state Gov. Arch Moore and nephew of U.S. Senator Shelley Moore Capito (R-W.Va.).
Today, I took the oath of office to serve as the next West Virginia State Treasurer. I look forward to serving our state over the next four years. Thank you for putting your trust in me, I will not let you down! pic.twitter.com/aves39vkka
— Riley Moore (@RileyMooreWV) January 18, 2021
Moore joined other Republicans Monday getting sworn-in on Board of Public Works, which was a GOP sweep in the election. The state Constitution requires the terms of officers to begin the first Monday after the second Wednesday in January.
New four-year terms for Attorney General Patrick Morrisey, Agriculture Commissioner Kent Leonhardt and Secretary of State Mac Warner were official Monday with ceremonies inside the state Capitol.
Today, I took the oath of office for my third term as the West Virginia Attorney General. Honored to be entrusted once again with this awesome responsibility. pic.twitter.com/sERlowG23X
— Patrick Morrisey (@MorriseyWV) January 18, 2021
It’s official! The voters chose and the Oath administered, let’s congratulate Kent Leonhardt WV Commissioner of Agriculture AND Mac Warner WV Secretary of State! pic.twitter.com/F8iQtQH0xZ
— Chief Justice Evan Jenkins (@EvanJenkinsWV) January 18, 2021
Governor Jim Justice took his oath after midnight on Monday. Justice’s official Inauguration Ceremony will be held on Friday beginning at 1 p.m., on the North Side of the West Virginia Capitol Building.
State Auditor J.B. McCuskey has a ceremony scheduled for Tuesday in Harrison County.
Roman Stauffer, Acting Chairman of the West Virginia Republican Party said in a statement, “It’s an exciting day in West Virginia. The voters overwhelmingly wanted Republicans to serve in every elected position on the Board of Public Works. Our Republican team is committed to making the lives of hardworking West Virginians better, to helping our state recover from the COVID-19 pandemic, and to fulfill the responsibilities of their office in a manner we can all be proud of as West Virginians.”