By Steven Allen Adams for The Journal
CHARLESTON, W.Va. – Gov. Patrick Morrisey appointed Gerrardstown attorney Ian Masters to the 91st District House of Delegates seat forfeited by Joseph de Soto while a pending court case could determine if a Democrat should hold the seat.
Meanwhile, the West Virginia Democratic Party is seeking to drop House Speaker Roger Hanshaw from the lawsuit after Hanshaw sought to delay the lawsuit until May.
A spokesperson confirmed Thursday afternoon that Masters, a 2011 graduate of the West Virginia University College of Law who opened his own law firm in 2020, had been appointed to the seat after the Berkeley County Republican Executive Committee submitted three names to Morrisey by a Wednesday deadline. Masters is also president of the West Virginia Citizens Defense League.
“Ian’s experience leading the WVCDL makes him exceptionally prepared to step in and represent the people of the 91st District,” Morrisey said. “I’m confident he’ll bring experienced conservative leadership and be an effective legislator for southern Berkeley County.”