House Speaker Roger Hanshaw, R-Clay, commented on Gov. Patrick Morrisey’s involvement in West Virginia’s 2026 primary cycle. (Photo by Perry Bennett/West Virginia Legislative Photography)
Tuesday’s election night rocked the West Virginia House of Delegates as 14 Republican incumbents were predicted to lose their primaries, including House Finance Chairman Vernon Criss.
Criss, a veteran lawmaker from Parkersburg, was a key target of Gov. Patrick Morrisey after the two publicly clashed over budget issues, including the state’s $300 million Hope Scholarship — an education voucher program. Morrisey traveled to Wood County to campaign against Criss, an unusual move for a governor of the same political party.
On Wednesday, House Speaker Roger Hanshaw was blunt about Morrisey’s involvement this primary season as the governor sought to unseat several incumbent members.
“It’s sad that over the last few months the governor has chosen to insert himself where he doesn’t belong instead of focusing on his own work,” said Hanshaw, R-Clay. “House leadership and all House members will always focus on things that matter to West Virginia and its people, not the out-of-state interests that fund the governor’s PACs and litter our mailboxes.
The memories of the legislature will last for a long time, and we will remember the last few weeks.
– House Speaker Roger Hanshaw
Political action committees that advocate for school choice, such as the School Freedom Fund, Sugar Maple PAC, and Americans for Prosperity—affiliated with Morrisey— Hundreds of thousands of dollars spent against Criss because the House Finance Committee New guardrails were recently considered how families utilize the Hope Scholarship but I decided against it Program changes for parents and students.
Hanshaw, who did not face a primary opponent this year, said, “The House is well-positioned for the fall elections and is already preparing for the 2027 regular session.”
He will be challenged by Democratic candidate Samantha Tanner-Lester in the November 3 general election.
Some of Morrisey’s House targets survive, others fall after Tuesday
Criss was defeated by 23-year-old Charles Hartzog, who has no political experience. He received powerful support from the Americans for the West Virginia Chapter of Prosperity. Hartzog will do it in November against Democratic candidate Dennis Rempel.
Del. Clay Riley, R-Harrison, who serves as vice chairman of the House Finance Committee, said the loss of Criss was disheartening.
“I valued his friendship, and I valued the fact that he was willing to ask tough questions and have discussions, because that’s what people send us there for,” Riley said.
Riley was also a target of Morrisey, easily winning his main bid on Tuesday against challenger Megan Krajewski. He has no Democratic challenger in the fall.
“This is a really strong statement from the people of my district that they know that I care for them with great concern, love and pride,” he said. “I was very impressed with their response and the support they gave me.”
Del. Scot Heckert, R-Wood, was another Morrisey target who didn’t fare so well; He lost his re-election to challenger Melissa McGrady. Reached by phone Wednesday, Heckert said his goal was to show the state the “real Morriseys” by standing up to them, and he felt he succeeded.
“The whole state sees what kind of people these are,” Heckert said. “There’s no compromise, my way or my way. And if you don’t do what I say, they’ll buy it.”
“I am confident that the people of the state will do what needs to be done when it comes to electing a new governor,” he said.
Heckert promised to run again in 2028.
He said the negativity and Morrisey’s involvement in the Republican primary will likely result in more than 20 to 30 Democrats being elected to the House in the general election.
“I think and I feel and I know in my heart that people are going to come out and vote in the general (election) that didn’t come out in the primary because a lot of them couldn’t,” Heckert said. “But a lot of them didn’t come out in the primary … (because) they saw so much lying, fraudulent nonsense on the news, on the radio, on their cell phones, in their mailbox. A lot of people were just disgusted and said, ‘We’re not voting.'”
Other incumbents expected to lose in the House include: Del. Stanley Adkins, R-Nicholas; Del. Bill Anderson, R-Wood; Del. Bill Bell, R-Wetzel; Del. Jordan Bridges, R-Logan; Del. Marshall Clay, R-Fayette; Del. Betsy Kelly, R-Tyler; Del. Laura Kimble, R-Harrison; Del. Daniel Linville, R-Cabell; Del. Keith Marple, R-Harrison; Del. Jeff Stephens, R-Marshall; Del. Greg Watt, R-Webster and Del. Mark Zatezelo, R-Hancock.
In some House races, the winner is currently only ahead by a handful of votes, so the results have not yet been officially announced by the Associated Press. In a race between Linville and Aaron Holley in Cabell County on Wednesday, Holley won by just two votes. A spokesman for the West Virginia Secretary of State’s Office said the office is not calling races until the results of all counties are certified. The acquisition process for certification is scheduled to begin on Monday.
This was a closed Republican primary for the first time in decades, and turnout was about 20%.
In Monongalia County, Olivia Miller secured the Democratic primary, replacing current Rep. John Williams, who is running for state Senate. Miller does not face a Republican challenge in November, meaning Democrats will retain the seat in their current nine-member minority as they hope to escalate their numbers in the fall.
Riley said the House will continue to focus on economic growth, job creation and education after this tumultuous primary season.
“In my opinion, we will get the job done. We will support the people who sent us there to do the job,” he said.
YOU MAKE OUR WORK POSSIBLE.
