Del. Brandon Steele, R-Raleigh, calls for support for his bill, House Bill 4654, in the House Judiciary on Monday, February 12, 2024, in Charleston, West Virginia. Steele resigned from the House on Thursday, December 18, 2025. (Photo by Perry Bennett/West Virginia Legislative Photography)
Del. Brandon Steele, a lawyer by profession who represented the Beckley area in the state House of Representatives and was a habitual donor passionate speeches He resigned from his elected position on Thursday during the legislative process.
He submitted his resignation a letter It was sent to the House clerk before 9 a.m. Thursday, according to House communications director Ann Ali. In the letter, he said the resignation was effective immediately.
Steele, a Republican, Lootpress said – an online publication he founded in 2020 and continues to own – that his resignation was necessary because “professional opportunities” arose that would “interfere” with his work in the House of Representatives.
He said it was “an honor” to serve his constituents and he would “always appreciate” the time he spent on the board.
Steele has served in the House of Representatives since 2018 and previously chaired the House Committee on Government Organization.
His resignation this week comes nearly a year after he stepped down involved in a domestic disturbance where, loudly to a police reporthis wife called 911 because Steele was drunkenly wielding assault rifles and yelling at people in their neighborhood on December 23, 2024.
In 911 calls, Brianne Steele told police that Brandon Steele was “extremely agitated and very, very drunk” and that her three children, who were home at the time of the incident, were “terrifyingly afraid.” There were no arrests.
On January 7, 2025, Brandon Steele was elected Chairman of the House Judiciary Committee. On the same day, a copy of the police report and recordings of 911 calls resulting from the riots were sent to media members and House leadership. The next day, Brandon Steele skipped his swearing-in ceremony and on January 17th he was removed as chairman the House Judiciary after a private conversation with House Speaker Roger Hanshaw.
Brandon Steele told West Virginia Watch in January that the “rumors” spread around the domestic disturbances were “vicious and disheartening.” He denied any wrongdoing.
In August, according to The Real WVBrianne Steele – who works as a court clerk in Raleigh County – filed an emergency order against Brandon Steele. This protective order required Brandon Steele to be within 100 yards of Brianne Steele or her residence.
Brandon Steele was re-elected to his House seat in 2024, meaning he has another year left in his term. Following his resignation, Raleigh County Gov. Patrick Morrisey’s Republican Executive Committee will recommend three candidates to fill the remainder of his term. Morrisey will then appoint one of those candidates to the seat.
The 2026 regular legislative session is scheduled to begin on January 14, 2026.
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