MORGANTOWN, W.Va. — The West Virginia Republican Party Executive Committee meets Saturday in Morgantown and one of the items on the agenda is to choose a new state chairman.
Current GOP Chair Matt Herridge, the state commerce secretary, will officially resign and committee members will nominate and vote on a new chair.
There are three announced candidates including state lawmaker Josh Holstein, Dr. Michael George and Army veteran Wes Perry.
U.S. Senator Jim Justice threw his support behind Holstein two weeks ago. Gov. Patrick Morrisey said during an appearance Friday on MetroNews “Midday” he’s yet to make a decision.
“I’ve been talking to the different candidates, so I’ve not weighed in officially yet. I’m having good conversations with people,” Morrisey said.
Holstein, 23, serves in the House of Delegates. He earlier told MetroNews being young is an advantage.
“I was 18 when I filed to run for the House of Delegates the first time. I knocked on around 1,100 doors in the span of 14 months or so, and I was able to prove myself to people, relay some of their concerns maybe with my age, just by having a discussion with them and answering all of their questions,” Holstein said.
George, of Pocahontas County, is a published author, businessman and public speaker. He said he wants to serve Republicans across the state.
“I want to travel to the counties. I want to be able to lead these counties, help them to share this message that we know are our conservative West Virginia values,” George said earlier on MetroNews Midday. “I want to make sure that our leaders are prepared for interviews, or debates, or public appearances that connect with everyday voters.”
Perry is from Brooke County. He believes the state is ready to take off after Republicans have laid the ground work since taking control of the legislature in 2016.
“We are on the cusp of becoming the next, say, Tennessee, Florida, or Texas,” Perry said. “If you look at those three states, they’re booming. They’re off the charts in population growth and opportunity and business and free market idea and just individual liberty. West Virginia is right there ready to bust out and be a nationwide leader.”
Morrisey said Friday the most important thing is that the GOP has a strong state party “and folks who base their decision-making on principles with the platforms that are going to supportive for the governor and all of the folks in state government and the federal government.”
Saturday’s GOP Executive Committee meeting will take place at the WVU Erickson Alumni Center in Morgantown. A vote on the chairman is expected Saturday afternoon.