CHARLESTON – State Senate Majority Whip Ryan Weld has withdrawn from the 2024 race for West Virginia Attorney General.
Weld (R-Brooke) announced this on November 22.
Politics is a grind that sometimes requires candidates to compromise for political gain,” Weld said in a statement. “I’ve seen so many people lose sight of who they are and what they’re fighting for in these campaigns. And one thing I know about myself is that compromising my principles and values for the sake of power, influence and title is simply not who I am.
“That’s why I’ve made the decision to run for re-election to the state Senate in 2024. As a member of the Senate, I can continue to fight for West Virginia and play a significant role in its future – without losing sight of who I am and why I got into public office in the first place.”
Weld said running a campaign takes a lot of work, but added that it’s not that bad. He said it helped him renew his love for the country and its citizens, but also added that it taught him a lot about himself.
“I thoroughly enjoyed all the parades, dinners and the countless conversations I had with regular West Virginians along the way,” he said. “This campaign was one of the most rewarding experiences of my life. But unfortunately, that’s not all a statewide campaign is about – and the endless requests for campaign contributions, as well as the constant deal-making, can really take a toll on a person’s conscience.”
Weld is an attorney at Spilman Thomas & Battle and a former Brooke County deputy prosecutor. He served in Afghanistan as an Air Force intelligence officer. He has served in the state Senate since 2016, after serving one term in the House of Delegates. Weld received a 100 percent rating on the case The latest West Virginia Chamber of Commerce Scorecard.
Current AG Patrick Morrisey, also a Republican, will run for governor in next year’s election.
With Weld’s departure, the AG race has fallen – for now – to state senator and former U.S. attorney Mike Stuart and fellow Republican state auditor J.B. McCuskey.
Stuart agreed with Weld’s view that public service is “a a huge sacrifice today.”
“I applaud Senator Weld for exploring a run for the most important ballot office that impacts West Virginia families today,” Stuart said in a statement. “While we have significant differences of opinion on policy and issues, I have great respect for Senator Weld, including his service in the military and in the West Virginia Legislature.”
McCuskey praised Weld’s “commitment to public service,” calling him “a steadfast champion of the people of our great country.”
“I have the utmost respect for Senator Weld and his contributions to our state,” McCuskey said in a statement. “His commitment to public service and tireless work on behalf of the people of West Virginia is commendable.
“Our state is better because of leaders like Senator Weld, and I wish him continued success in his future endeavors.”
On Wednesday’s MetroNews “Talkline” radio show announcing the reassignment, Weld said he would support the AG candidate “if a competent lawyer enters the race.”
In a statement, West Virginia Democratic Party Chairman Mike Pushkin called Weld’s admission “surprising.”
“We agree with Senator Weld that neither J.B. McCuskey nor Mike Stuart is competent to serve as West Virginia’s next attorney general, and we admire his courage unofficially questions the qualifications of the other two Republican Party candidates race,” Pushkin said. “It’s refreshing to see a Republican politician prioritizing qualifications and competences necessary to perform such a key role.
“This is consistent with ours many years of commitment to ensuring that the highest legal office in our country is held by someone who has the legal capacity, integrity and commitment to effectively serve all West Virginians. We are convinced that the Democratic Party will field just such a candidate near future.”
