Delegate S. Marshall Wilson Tuesday signs the paperwork switching from Republican to independent. (Photo by Steven Allen Adams)

CHARLESTON — A Berkeley County delegate Tuesday switched party affiliation over issues with the leadership of the West Virginia Republican Party.

Delegate S. Marshall Wilson, who represents the 60th District in Berkeley County, switched from Republican to independent to protest what he sees as bad leadership from the head of the state Republican Party.

Walking into the West Virginia Secretary of State’s Office Tuesday, Wilson prepared a new voter registration form. The change will become official when the Berkeley County clerk receives the form.

He first registered in Berkeley County as a Republican in 2011 when he moved there from Baton Rouge, La.

“I will continue to serve the same principles I already have, whether I caucus with the party or not, whether I caucus all by myself in my office alone with God,” Wilson said. “I will always serve the same principles that I’ve always served.”

Wilson, a retired U.S. Army officer, was first elected in 2016 and has served two terms in the House of Delegates. He recently served as the chair of the House Veterans Affairs Committee and as chair of the Select Committee on Veterans’ Affairs during legislative interim meetings.

Wilson said he talked with House Speaker Roger Hanshaw, R-Clay, and voluntarily resigned as chairman of the committees. As of Tuesday morning Wilson’s legislative page had not been updated.

“It breaks my heart and I’m honored to have served the veterans in this state,” Wilson said. “I’m hoping I can just stay on the committee. I assume I will.”

In a statement, Hanshaw said Wilson privately met with him before making the party-switch announcement. Hanshaw said he still looks forward to working with Wilson on legislation.

“While we are disappointed any time someone leaves our party, we recognize Delegate Wilson as a staunch conservative who has devoted himself to defending the principles of freedom and liberty upon which this country was founded,” Hanshaw said. “While I’m saddened by his change of registration, I understand and respect his choice to do what he believes is in the best interests of the citizens he represents.”

Wilson said his decision to switch parties was not because of any ideological difference with the Republican Party, but issues with the Republican Party Executive Committee and Chairwoman Melody Potter.

Potter issued a statement.

“I am disappointed by the decision of Delegate S. Marshall Wilson to change party affiliation to independent, and I am even more profoundly disappointed with the explanation provided by Delegate Wilson. No two members of the Republican Party agree on every issue but this party is a big-tent party,” she said.

“Over the years, I have had disagreements on various issues with other party members, including legislators. I have chosen to discuss those issues with those stakeholders privately,” Potter said. “Delegate Wilson’s actions today are the latest in a long string of erratic and foolish behavior that he’s exhibited over the years. His actions bring dishonor and discredit to his service in the House and betray the voters who thought they were electing a Republican when they voted for him.”

Last July, Wilson wrote an open letter to Potter asking her to resign after Potter removed Rob Cornelius as chairman and elected member of the Wood County Republican Executive Committee.

Cornelius filed suit against Potter and the Secretary of State’s Office to ask the court to require the Secretary of State to accept his slate of committee members per state code. That lawsuit is pending.

Wilson also cited the removal of 12 members of the Kanawha County Republican Executive Committee in July, believed to be retribution for that committee’s earlier vote of no confidence in Gov. Jim Justice. According to MetroNews, the 12 committee members were allowed to retain their seats after a deal was worked out with the chairwoman of the county party.

“My loyalty lies with my principles and with the people who hired me, not with any organization or a person,” Wilson said. “There are a large number of great Republicans who are trying really hard to serve the state and trying hard to serve the constitution. Those are the same principles that I serve. Unfortunately, the senior leadership of the West Virginia Republican party does not.”

This isn’t the first time Wilson has butted heads with leadership. In 2018, Wilson made a motion on the first day of the legislative session calling for former Kanawha County delegate Tim Armstead to be removed as House Speaker. The motion failed and Wilson was removed from committee assignments.