Morrisey appoints Beckley pastor to fill vacant seat in WV House

Gov. Patrick Morrisey on Tuesday appointed a Beckley-based pastor to fill the House of Delegates seat that was vacated by former Del. Brandon Steele, R-Raleigh, last month.

John K. Jordan, a Republican, has served as the lead pastor at the Calvary Assembly of God, in Beckley, West Virginia, since 1998. He also works as the assistant superintendent for the Appalachian Network Council of the Assemblies of God, sits on the Board of Trustees for Southeastern University in Florida and is a faculty member at the Appalachian Network School of Ministry. He also holds a position on the General Presbytery of the Assemblies of God in Springfield, Missouri.

Steele, an attorney by trade, resigned from his seat in the House last month. He said his resignation was necessary due to “professional opportunities” arising that would “interfere” with his work in the House. His resignation came nearly a year after he was involved in a domestic disturbance where, according to a police report, his wife called 911 due to him drunkenly handling assault rifles and screaming at people in their neighborhood on Dec. 23, 2024. 

Steele served in the House since 2018 and previously sat as chair of the House Committee on Government Organization.

Jordan is originally from Parkersburg, according to his professional biography from the Calvary Assembly of God. According to a news release from Morrisey, Jordan holds a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration from the University of The Cumberlands and a Master of Science in Church Leadership from the Assemblies of God Theological Seminary.

With Jordan’s appointment, one seat remains vacant in the state House of Delegates following Del. Mike DeVault’s resignation on Monday. DeVault said he resigned after taking “careful consideration” of his “personal and professional circumstances.” One seat in the state Senate is also vacant since Sen. Donna Boley’s resignation last week. Boley, 90 years old, said she was stepping away to focus on her health and her family.

The 2026 regular legislative session is set to begin on Wednesday.