State senators are in a three-way race to become the next president.
The competitors in the Republican supermajority are Energy Chairman Randy Smith of Tucker County, Finance Chairman Eric Tarr of Putnam County and the current majority leader, Tom Takubo of Kanawha County.
Senators supporting each described a competitive race, with disagreement over who leads in the vote count, depending on who you talk to. Most senators say Tarr has the fewest reliable votes, but his supporters gave some pushback by saying the situation remains fluid. Senators in the Smith and Takubo camps each say their guy is on the verge of winning.
“There are three candidates at this point for Senate president, all with unique talents, all incredibly qualified. So it’s a situation where each senator is going to have to struggle with who that pick happens to be,” said Senator Mike Stuart, R-Kanawha, who is not ready to publicly back any of the three.
“They’re each three so different. And each has accomplished so many things. Randy Smith, a coal miner by trade; Eric Tarr, a businessman, knows the budget like nobody knows the budget; and Tom Takubo, a doctor, a physician, one of the very, very best. So if you could blend all three into one candidate, you’d have the ideal candidate. But we don’t get to do that. We have to pick one of these three.”
The Senate’s top leadership position is open because Craig Blair, who has held the position since 2021, was defeated in the Republican primary election.
The 32-member GOP caucus will take a vote behind closed doors on Dec. 8. If the matter isn’t settled right away, votes could continue after that. The Republican majority is so enormous that whoever wins in caucus is bound to be the Senate president, but an official vote of all senators in January would include the two Democrats as well.
Takubo, in a written statement, said the vote isn’t settled at this point. He made a case that he has the demeanor and willingness to listen for the job.
“Senators are still negotiating and making their cases for and against who should be our next leader. Although I believe I may be very close, none of us have a majority of the votes at this time. I certainly believe that I am up to the challenge and would serve our senate and state with a respectful, deliberate, level headed and professional demeanor,” Takubo said.
“I believe there exists some stark contrasts between those of us that are considering the position. I have the upmost respect for all of my colleagues and I know regardless of the outcome, we are going to continue to work for a better WV.”
Smith said he expects to be Senate President when the legislature reconvenes officially on Jan. 8.
“I have a strong team around me, and we have the most support by far. While others are resorting to tactics to try and justify staying in the race, we are moving ahead with the transition and getting ready to work with Governor-Elect Morrisey,” Smith said in a written statement.
“Everyone knows it’s not a matter of ‘if’ we get the votes, but rather when the others in the race acknowledge that we have the support and are moving on without them. West Virginia’s voters made a strong statement about wanting conservative leadership and protecting West Virginia values in this election, which has solidified the support I have received. It’s time to put this distraction behind us and unify behind our team to be ready to hit the ground running on January 8th!”
Tarr said it’s an internal matter, and predicted the caucus will make the right call.
“It’s understandable that the media and public are very curious about who will fill that seat and eager to speculate about it, especially if they think they could draw members out to debate it publicly. However the nomination of a Senate President by our caucus is much like a private discussion a family would have around their dinner table. We care deeply about the success of our caucus family and keep it within in the family until the matter is resolved,” Tarr said in a written statement.
“As much we understand the curiosity of the public, we also understand the gravity of the selection of a President. We must do what we can to preserve the integrity of that process.”
Senator Amy Nichole Grady, R-Mason, is one of Tarr’s supporters. She praised all three of the competitors for, so far, staying away from hardball tactics like promising committee chair positions.
“I’ve spoken with all three of them. None of them, that I have heard, are making promises to get votes yet. So they’re just telling their view of how the caucus should be run,” Grady said in a Wednesday telephone call.
Grady said she threw her support to Tarr early in the process because she knows him well and he is the senior senator from her district — “but I truly feel like he is the best person for the job. I decided that really early on and have not wavered whatsoever.
“I’m trying to provide some input to other members who may be questioning who to support just to let them know why I have chosen to support Senator Tarr, and hopefully we can help some that are kind of on the fence. Because what we really want to do is make sure we have a caucus that’s not divided.”
Senator Jason Barrett, R-Berkeley, said the Senate president vote is an internal matter — but it’s clear he’s for Tarr.
“The Senate Republican caucus has led West Virginia’s comeback story. Now, we must choose a Senate President that will move us into the next chapter of that story. I believe it is imperative that we select a proven conservative that possesses a strong understanding of our state’s finances. In recent years,” Barrett said in an emailed statement.
“West Virginia has been able to attract companies that have made large investments and employ thousands of hardworking West Virginians. If we are to continue to deliver these tremendous wins for our state we need to elect someone that can effectively articulate to prospects why West Virginia is the best place for these endeavors.”
Senator Rupie Phillips, R-Logan, said he called Tarr the day after the primary election and expressed support for the president’s position.
“I think the world of all of the candidates, but Tarr is by far the most qualified and dedicated candidate for this position. We have worked hard to move this state in the right direction, and we need to stay on target.”
Phillips, who sent his comments via text after this story was originally published, continued by saying “After speaking with several members, I learned that Tarr has the most support. I know there are a lot of rumors going around, but if I wanted to listen to fake news, I’d tune in to CNN.”
Senator Ryan Weld, R-Brooke, is on the current Senate leadership team as the majority whip. He supports Takubo.
“My support of Tom is based on his temperament to be a leader, his desire to run a transparent process in the Senate that will ensure that all members have the opportunity to bring up the issues that are important to them and speak to the caucus about them regardless of whether or not Tom personally agrees with them or not. I know that’s very important to him because I know he wants everyone to be treated fairly and to be a leader for everyone, ” Weld said on a Wednesday telephone call.
Senator Mike Oliverio, R-Monongalia, said on “Talk of the Town” on WAJR Radio that he is also supporting Takubo, who is employed on the senior leadership team of West Virginia University Health System, a major player the district Oliverio represents.
“I think there are a lot of things we have in common,” Oliverio said on radio. “So Tom and I have been working for a while now, trying to round up enough Senate Republicans that we will be able to prevail. There are other good folks interested in being Senate president. I’m not necessarily against them. But I think what would be best for my district is to have Tom in that leadership post, and with that I think I would be in a place where I could contribute as much or more.”
Senator Jay Taylor, a Republican from Taylor County, is backing Smith.
He suggested the vote could go more than one round, with the candidate with the least votes getting knocked out of contention. Then, he predicted those votes could flow to Smith for the winning margin.
“And yes,” Taylor said in an email, “I am Team Randy for sure.”