Short List Of Replacements For Del. Walker Announced

The Monongalia County Democratic Party has released a short list of candidates to replace Del. Danielle Walker in the West Virginia House of Delegates. 

Earlier this month, Walker, the only Black woman in the West Virginia Legislature, stepped down as delegate for the 81st House District to become the executive director of the American Civil Liberties Union of West Virginia. She also stepped down from her position as the vice chair of the state Democratic Party.

The Monongalia County Democratic Party has submitted three candidates to Gov. Jim Justice for his appointment to the remainder of Walker’s two-year term, which began this January.

Candidates include:

• Anitra Hamilton, president of the Morgantown/Kingwood Branch of the NAACP of West Virginia.
• Emily Harden, a Presbyterian pastor.
• Marly Ynigues, who is seeking a seat on Morgantown’s city council in Tuesday’s election.

In the announcement, Mindy Salango, Chair of the Monongalia County Democratic Executive Committee, said she was, “thrilled at the enthusiasm of the many Democrats who reached out to help fill the seat.”

The 81st district encompasses a portion of Morgantown, including the neighborhoods next to West Virginia University.