CHARLESTON, W.Va. — In a night that saw West Virginia turn Republican red in U.S. Senate and U.S. House races, Republicans on Tuesday also took control of the state House of Delegates, ending an 83-year Democratic reign in the 100-member legislative body.

Also, in an election-night surprise, Republicans were on pace to pick up seven seats in the state Senate — leaving that body in an apparent 17-17 split between Democrats and Republicans.

It was a night when voters swept out long-serving Democratic delegates, including Speaker Pro Tem Randy Swartzmiller, D-Hancock; and Delegates Dale Stephens, D-Cabell; John Pino, D-Fayette; Charlene Marshall and Tony Barill, both D-Monongalia; Danny Wells, D-Kanawha; and Tiffany Lawrence, D-Jefferson, among many others.

In the Senate, prominent Democrats including Sens. Truman Chafin, D-Mingo; Erik Wells, D-Kanawha; Larry Edgell, D-Wetzel; Mike Green, D-Raleigh; and Greg Tucker, D-Nicholas, were unseated, while Delegate Doug Skaff, D-Kanawha, was defeated in a bid for the seat currently by retiring Democratic Sen. Brooks McCabe.

House Minority Leader Tim Armstead, R-Kanawha, would become the speaker of the House if Republicans vote to keep him in his leadership position…