Tag: Del. Jason Harshbarger

Gov. Justice Taps Barnhart For 7th House District Vacancy

Gov. Jim Justice announced today [Tuesday] that he has appointed Trenton C. Barnhart to the House of Delegates to represent the 7th District. 

Barnhart fills the vacancy created by the resignation of Del. Jason Harshbarger, who resigned from the seat last month.

The 7th House District is made up of the entirety of Ritchie County and a large portion of Pleasants County.

Harshbarger, a twice-elected Republican from Ritchie County, left the House to pursue a lobbying position with his longtime employer, Dominion Energy.

According to a news release from the governor’s office, Barnhart is a lifelong resident of Pleasants County and currently lives in St. Mary’s. He currently works as a compliance auditor for the state. 

A Republican committee had also offered former Del. Woody Ireland of Pullman and Don Boley of St. Mary’s as possible appointees.

Ritchie Co. Delegate Resigning to Take Lobbying Job with Dominion Energy

West Virginia Del. Jason Harshbarger has submitted a letter of resignation from the House’s 7th District. The two-term lawmaker is leaving to take a new role with Dominion Energy.

Harshbarger, a Republican from Ritchie County, was first elected to the House of Delegates in 2016 and has worked for Dominion Energy for 14 years. 

In his role as a delegate, he currently serves as chair of the Natural Resources Committee and is also a member of the Energy, Industry and Labor and Judiciary committees.

According to a letter delivered Wednesday to the House Clerk, Harshbarger’s resignation from the House will be effective August 30.

A spokeswoman with Dominion Energy says Harshbarger will become the new state policy director for the company in September. She says he will not lobby the Legislature for a year following his House resignation.  

State law calls for a one-year window between holding office in the Legislature and registering as a lobbyist. 

The House’s 7th District includes Ritchie County and a portion of Pleasants County.

A local Republican executive committee has 15 days from the days of the vacancy to submit a list of three possible replacements to Gov. Jim Justice. Upon receiving that list, the governor has five days to make an appointment. 

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