Senate President Smith wants to retain his position of power; The election results mean difficult waters

The primary cycle was particularly turbulent in the Republican-dominated state Senate, and the clashes will continue in the coming months ahead of a Senate presidential election.

Current Senate President Randy Smith said in a telephone interview that he will seek re-election to the top job in January before the next legislative session. In West Virginia, the Senate President also serves as Lieutenant Governor.

“I am the incumbent Senate president. I will run again,” said Smith, R-Preston. “I think I’ve done a good job of trying to bring people together. And you know, some people don’t want to be brought together.”

“I felt really good about what I could do until we got close to this election,” he added.

The election results did little to move sentiment for either Senate faction, one led by Smith and one led by Smith Sen. Tom Takubo, R-Kanawha. Republicans hold 32 of 34 seats in the Senate.

“It’s a very similar divide as before — just different people after this election,” said Sen. Eric Tarr, R-Putnam, who won a three-way primary Tuesday.

Smith recognized the divide as he sought re-election. The particularly brutal and costly Republican primary has further polarized the two sides. An added layer of drama came after Gov. Patrick Morrisey took part in the races through support a number of candidates joined Smith as he vocally opposed Takubo and other Republicans who he said posed obstacles to his agenda.

“You hear the governor talking about how we can’t have the status quo, but then the status quo was elected, and the status quo has really accomplished very little in the last two years,” Takubo said. “The governor wants to control all three branches of government… I just think the governor has done more damage to the Republican Party than any other Democrat in my lifetime.”

In an interview, Sen. Laura Chapman, R-Ohio, did not align with either faction but was strongly supported by Morrisey. She left her role appointed chairman of the Senate Health Committee in January after criticizing Smith’s leadership.

“The Senate President race is actually very important because it really sets the tone for where we’re going,” Chapman said. “Heaven forbid that person becomes governor. We have to make sure we elect someone that voters will support and he will move the state forward. I think President Smith has done a good job. I don’t think he’s gotten all the credit he deserves.”

Tarr said the pending results of the November general election could impact the race for Senate president.

“I would just like us to reach a consensus on someone to take the lead, but with a strong leadership team around him,” he said. “I talk about actually leading, but we haven’t managed to do well in the Senate – because of a lack of communication, a lack of bringing people together and a history of divisive tactics. You can’t get deep legislation. Everything is superficial.”

The Smith faction retains crucial seats

Smith, a former miner, won a three-way race against Takubo and Tarr to secure the role of Senate President in 2024; the consequences of the competitive split most Republican senators into factions between Smith’s supporters and those who had supported Takubo.

Smith’s The group was able to secure a number of crucial seats on Tuesday evening. The outside spending targeted people on both sides, Smith noted.

MetroNews reported in March, which spawned a political action committee linked to Smith political messages against Takubo.

“There is nothing negative that was said against anyone in the Senate caucus — I was responsible for that,” Smith said. “I have helped raise funds for some of the organizations that supported my people, and I am not backing down because we have been attacked. My job as president is to protect our members who support me, and I have done that.”

Takubo, a doctor, of course won his main race on Tuesday evening after an onslaught of mailers and massive spending by groups affiliated with Morrisey and Smith. He has not committed to running for Senate President again.

Nineteen Senate seats were up for primary voting across the state on Tuesday. While Takubo won, a number of candidates he and his allies recruited and challenged the incumbents did not fare well on election night; His group has no easier way to challenge the Senate president.

“I think if voters said loud and clear that the group that tried to take out the true Conservatives failed, and then, frankly, they didn’t win any seats,” Chapman said. who won over a Takubo-backed challenger Joe Eddy in the primary. “I think we’re going to continue to see a conservative Senate … And I think this is a warning sign for Republicans … maybe listen more to what voters are saying on issues that they care about.”

“I think it’s abundantly clear that I am a conservative and I have made it clear that I will not support the liberal agenda where we have passed things like hormones and puberty blockers for children. I will always be against it,” she added.

Chapman faces Democratic challenger Shawn Fluharty in the general election in what is shaping up to be a high-profile race. Fluharty currently sits in the House of Delegates.

In the Takubo caucus, incumbent Sen. Bill Hamilton, R-Upshur, won against challengers Jack Reger and former Sen. Robert Karnes. Sen. Vince Deeds, R-Greenbrier, one of the governors top destinations, easily won.

Vote on Raylee’s Law ‘still stewing’

With the election in the rearview mirror, Deeds said the Senate needs to “come together.”

“I hope that we can come together and find a clear path, a clear agenda for our employment or economic opportunities and our education,” said Deeds, a pastor. “Let’s just not be afraid to talk. We may come into the room and not necessarily agree, that’s part of the process.”

Takubo said, “They don’t elect us to be friends with everyone.”

“They want us to do good things for West Virginia. So I don’t have to agree with people’s ethics or morals. I have to look at the legislation that’s before us and decide whether I think that’s good for West Virginia or bad for West Virginia,” he said. “I will continue to do that.”

Tarr noted that a Senate vote had taken place on it Raylee’s LawA high-profile child abuse prevention measure in March also contributed to the Senate’s split. Some members of Smith’s caucus broke away to support the bill following a successful lead by Sen. Ryan Weld, R-Brooke a charge to overrule Smith to bring the measure to a vote.

“I think it’s still stewing,” Tarr said. “Then add to that how divisive this primary cycle has been for Republicans.”

Smith told West Virginia Watch he will focus on economic development and supporting tiny businesses.

“I’m a big supporter of small business. I think we’ve given up on promoting our small businesses and helping our small businesses that employ the most people in the state,” he said.

Sen. Joey Garcia, D-Marion, is the only guaranteed Democratic senator to return in 2027. Minority Leader Mike Woelfel, D-Cabell, is retiring after more than a decade of service. Democratic candidates across the state will challenge Republicans in the Nov. 3 general election.

“The Republican candidates who won Tuesday are, on the whole, even more extreme than the current makeup of the West Virginia Senate. But even so-called moderate Republicans voted for policies that will destroy our public education system, raise energy costs and prioritize the rich over the working class,” said Garcia, who did not seek re-election this year. “In November, voters will have the opportunity to change course and elect Democrats who will make these issues a priority in nearly every state Senate race.”