By Steven Allen Adams, The Parkersburg News and Sentinel
CHARLESTON, W.Va. — The West Virginia Supreme Court of Appeals set a deadline Friday for Gov. Patrick Morrisey and House Speaker Roger Hanshaw to respond to a writ of mandamus filed earlier this week by the state Democratic Party requesting that a Democrat be appointed to the House of Delegates seat forfeited by Joseph de Soto.
In a scheduling order release by the state Supreme Court of Appeals Friday afternoon, Morrisey and Hanshaw, R-Clay, have until Monday, Jan. 27, to file a response to the petition filed Tuesday by the state Democratic Party.
State Democratic leaders are seeking the court to order Morrisey to appoint one of three names submitted by the Berkeley County Democratic Executive Committee to fill the vacancy created by the House on Jan. 8 when it adopted a resolution declaring the 91st House seat vacant after de Soto was unable to be sworn in for his two-year term.