New Leadership Teams in West Virginia Senate and House of Delegates

The 2021 West Virginia Legislative Session has begun, and there are many changes in leadership. The West Virginia Constitution mandates that lawmakers elect officers for two-year terms in both the House and Senate.  State Senator Craig Blair (R-Berkeley) was sworn in as the Senate President of West Virginia’s 85th Legislative Session.  Delegate Roger Hanshaw (R-Clay) has been re-elected as Speaker of the House.

Senate Majority Leader Tom Takubo, R-Kanawha, will maintain that role in the Senate. Senator Charles Trump, R-Morgan, is chairman of the Senate Judiciary Committee. Senator Patricia Rucker, R-Jefferson, is the chairwoman of the Senate Education. Committee. Senator Eric Tarr, R-Putnam, will replace Senate President Blair as Senate Finance chairman.

Senator Steven Baldwin, D-Greenbrier, is the new Minority Leader. Senator Mike Woelfel, D-Cabell, is the new Minority Whip.

Speaker Hanshaw has also announced his leadership team. House Majority Leader Amy Summers, R-Taylor; Majority Whip Paul Espinosa, R-Jefferson; and Assistant Majority Leader Kayla Kessinger, R-Fayette, will continue in their roles for the upcoming session.

Delegate Gary Howell, R-Mineral, will be the new Speaker Pro Tempore. Delegate Dianna Graves, R-Kanawha, will be the majority caucus chairwoman.

Delegate Doug Skaff, D-Kanawha will serve as the House minority leader. Delegate Shawn Fluharty, D-Ohio, will serve as minority whip. Delegate Sean Hornbuckle, D-Cabell, has been appointed as the first Minority Leader Pro Tempore for the House Democrats.

Republicans have supermajorities in both chambers of the Legislature.

The West Virginia Constitution requires the Legislature to convene the second Wednesday of January each year. This year, the West Virginia House and Senate gaveled in at noon on January 13th for the state's 85th Legislative Session. The Legislature met for a one-day session to appoint committee chairs, elect officers, appoint the Sergeant at Arms and take care of other formalities.

Every four years, when a governor is set to take office following an election, the West Virginia Constitution requires the Legislature to adjourn after their January meeting and reconvene on the second Wednesday in February - February 10, 2021.