Doug Skaff, the former minority leader for the West Virginia House of Representatives, who resigned office last monthfiled Thursday as the Republican primary candidate for secretary of state.
Skaff was one of just 11 Democrats in the 100-member House of Representatives when he resigned as minority leader in August. Back then, he denied rumors that he had planned to switch his party registration to Republican and run for statewide office.
During an iInterview with West Virginia Watch as he left the House of Representatives last monthSkaff said he is considering switching parties and running for statewide office.
He did not immediately respond to a text message requesting an interview on Thursday.
I’ll keep talking MetroNews’ Talkline Thursday, Skaff said he wasn’t the first to switch parties and won’t be the last.
“Let’s face it, the Republican Party has taken the last two registrations by storm, but it wasn’t because 100,000 Republicans just moved to West Virginia,” Skaff said. “These were die-hard West Virginians who were pro-life, pro-gun, pro-coal, pro-gas and all switched parties. So like many West Virginians, my ideals have never changed. It was always like that for me too. I was registered as a Democrat and am proud to be on the Republican team, but I just can’t identify with the national party anymore.”
In separate statements Thursday, representatives from both the state’s Republican and Democratic parties pointed to Skaff’s voting record, including his vote against an abortion ban last year, against a bill allowing guns on college campuses and against legislation that would approve appropriations and Banning high school students from playing on sports teams that match their gender identity.
West Virginia Republican Party Chairwoman Elgine McArdle said Skaff was a “reliable voice for his caucus’s liberal agenda and a regular voice against many conservative Republican bills that we now call law.”
“It is the responsibility of Republican primary voters to select their candidates, and while the WVGOP trusts the primary process, the party must continue to be a resource for its voters as they research candidates and legislation.” McArdle concluded: “The West Virginia Republicans Party recognizes the philosophical nuances that may exist within the Party and welcomes those who truly believe in our cause; However, Republican voters are sometimes faced with the task of distinguishing between “philosophical nuances” and “diametric ideological opposition.” Now that Skaff calls himself a ‘Republican,’ despite his famously liberal record in the House, the upcoming primary is one of those moments.”
Mike Pushkin, chairman of the state Democratic Party, said that while he appreciated Skaff “putting his cards on the table,” he was surprised that he would try to reinvent himself as a right-wing conservative in the process.
“I know that Doug has long been intoxicated by the idea of winning statewide office,” Pushkin said. “Still, his candidacy could leave Republican primary voters with a hangover when they learn of his actual voting record. However, we wish him all the best in all his affairs.”
Skaff joins five other Republicans who have filed as primary candidates for the position: Steve Harris, former Sen. Kenny Mann, Del. Chris Pritt, R-Kanawha, Wesley Self and Putnam County Clerk Brian Wood.
Skaff is president of HD Media, a newspaper chain that includes the Charleston Gazette-Mail and the Huntington Herald-Dispatch. He is also vice president of the family business, Skaff Family Limited Company, and owner and managing partner of Building & Remodeling Warehouse in Nitro.
