CHARLESTON, W.Va. — Delegate Tim Armstead appears likely to become the next speaker of the House of Delegates after Republicans took control of the chamber for the first time in 83 years in Tuesday’s elections.

“I feel like I have support within the caucus, although I’m certainly not going to take that for granted,” Armstead, R-Kanawha, said.

Four incumbent Republicans all said they plan on supporting Armstead when the parties get together to choose their leadership next month.

“I would expect he would have a great deal of support, an overwhelming amount of support, to be our speaker,” said Minority Whip Daryl Cowles, R-Morgan. “Most certainly [he] would have my support.”

Cowles and three other members of Republican leadership all said that they did not know of any Republican delegate who planned on challenging Armstead.

“He’s worthy of it and deserving of it and I can’t imagine anybody will do a better job,” said Delegate John Shott, R-Mercer, an assistant minority whip.

“I think we’re pretty much unified that Tim Armstead is the person we’re going to choose as speaker,” said Delegate Eric Householder, R-Berkeley…