Democrats set to pick up more seats in the West Virginia House

As Ogden reporter Steven Allen Adams opined on MetroNews on Monday, “Whenever you have a blue wave, you’re going to get splashed.” 

And in the West Virginia House of Delegates, that splash came, with Democrats being poised to pick up six seats, according to the unofficial results posted by the Associated Press as of 10:46 p.m. Tuesday.

However, AP results indicate Democrats may have up to 20 seats when the Legislature convenes in January. 

Del. Sean Hornbuckle, D-Cabell, is the House minority leader. He said the wins are part of a strategy hatched in the wake of losses in the 2024 election. 

“Our game plan has been to focus on the issues that matter the most to people and we are seeing the fruits of that,” he said. “Even the folks who didn’t win ran a hell of a campaign. And I’m excited as hell to be working with these new members.” 

Del. Josh Holstein, R-Boone, chairman of the West Virginia Republican Party, said the losses were to be expected, and some races came in closer than initially expected. But he said the Republican Party still remains firmly in control of the House of Delegates. 

“We still have an overwhelming supermajority, one of the biggest in the nation,” he said. “I think this shows that the Republican Party is still the choice party for voters in West Virginia.” 

The wins were concentrated in urban areas of the state — Monongalia, Kanawha and Cabell counties. And more wins appear to be coming from the Eastern Panhandle. 

The House of Delegates currently comprises 91 Republicans and nine Democrats, one of the biggest supermajorities in the country. 

In the Legislature, an 80 seat majority allows the party in charge to suspend the constitutional rule that a bill must be read on three separate days. If Democrats are able to capture 21 seats, then Republicans won’t be able to do that. 

“Those days are gone,” Hornbuckle said. “I believe this will lead to a better product in our government.” 

Holstein downplayed the effect on having this power usurped. 

“Even if we aren’t able to suspend constitutional rules, we will still be able to easily pass our agenda,” he said. 

This year, the Democratic Party fielded 88 candidates in the general election, with 79 challenging either incumbent Republicans or open seats. In 2024, the party only fielded 58 total candidates in the general election. 

During the primary, at least 60 women signed up to run as Democrats, many making it to the general. West Virginia currently has some of the lowest female participation in the Legislature in the country. 

Nine Republicans and four Democrats ran uncontested. 

Third party challengers also had strong showings in the campaigns, filling the void where a major party candidate would’ve run unopposed.  

Del. Evan Hansen, D-Monongalia, defended a challenge from Mountain Party candidate Paige Reiring, while Democrat Olivia Miller saw a challenge from Constitution Party candidate Melissa Ann Deserio. 

Over on the GOP side, Del. Erica Moore in Roane was challenged by Libertarian candidate Tye Ward and Del. Mike Hornby, of Berkeley County, beat back a challenge from Constitution Party candidate Tara B. McCoy.