Sen. Daniel Hall, R-Wyoming
CHARLESTON, W.Va. — State Sen. Daniel Hall did not intend to switch political parties going into Tuesday’s election, but realized it was necessary in order to adequately serve his constituents, he said Thursday.
“My job as an elected official is to represent my people to the best of my ability,” said Hall, R-Wyoming. “Being a member of the majority party provides me the best opportunity to get things done.”
Hall’s decision to switch parties on Wednesday gave the Republicans an 18-16 majority in the state Senate and gives the party control of both houses of the state Legislature for the first time since 1931.
Hall said his constituents have traditionally been conservative in many ways, which made the decision easier to make, although he admitted it was still difficult.
“If your focus is where it should be, you don’t worry about party,” he said. “You worry about your people.”
Hall said he initially filed the paperwork with the Secretary of State’s office late Wednesday and hoped to formally announce his decision on Thursday. But shortly after the filing, Hall began to receive phone calls asking him about the subject. He said he has been answering calls ever since. “I didn’t get much sleep last night…