Keaton resigns from West Virginia House, joins Department of Human Services
(Capitol Notes - Graphic Illustration/MetroCreative)
CHARLESTON — Del. Riley Keaton is leaving the West Virginia House of Delegates to take a role in a new state department serving as a liaison with fellow lawmakers. Keaton, R-Roane, submitted a letter to the House Clerk’s Office resigning his office effective at 2 p.m. Thursday. “I am writing to formally resign from my position in the West Virginia House of Delegates representing the 15th District,” Keaton wrote. “After prayerful consideration of personal, family, and professional priorities, I believe I am called to further my public service to the people of our state through other opportunities afforded to me by the grace of God and confidence of Governor Jim Justice. Keaton said he accepted a position as legislative assistant to legislative affairs counsel within the state Department of Health and Human Resources. In Keaton’s new role, he will monitor legislation and committee meetings, provide information to lawmakers, and schedule meetings between lawmakers and DHHR officials among other duties. “In our shared mission to make West Virginia the best place to live, work, and raise a family, we’ve truly had a partner in Governor Jim Justice,” Keaton wrote. “I’m honored for the confidence he’s placed in me moving into my next role in public service.” The Legislature passed a bill earlier this year to split DHHR into three new departments effective at the end of this year. Once that happens, Keaton will serve in the new Department of Human Services. Keaton is the director of marketing and communications for Roane General Hospital. He was first elected to the House of Delegates in 2020, defeating former delegate Martin Atkinson III 52% to 48% in the 2020 Republican primary. Keaton is in his second two-year term. He serves on the Senior, Children, and Family Issues Committee, the Substance Abuse Committee, and the Technology and Infrastructure Committee. “As Delegate, I have stood strong and proudly championed the livelihoods, values, and communities of the people I represent,” Keaton wrote. “I was elected at the age of 22 – a bachelor, a student, and a camp director. Today, my wife, Sadie, and I are the proud parents of our darling daughter, Margaret Rose Keaton. God has blessed me beyond belief with my family, and continued legislative service would not give that blessing the honor it deserves. Keaton makes the third delegate to resign from the House in the last two months to take a job in the Justice administration. Former Greenbrier County Republican delegate Mike Honaker resigned last month to become the inspector general for the state Department of Homeland Security. Former Marshall County Republican delegate resigned last week to become superintendent of state Division of Highways District 6. The local Republican Party delegate district which includes Roane County and parts of Wirt County will have to put forward three recommendations to Justice within 15 days of the vacancy. Justice then has five days from the time he receives the list to choose from one of the three recommendations to fill the remainder of Keaton’s term. If the governor does not receive a list after 15 days, Justice has five days to choose a qualified replacement. Steven Allen Adams can be reached at sadams@newsandsentinel.comLocal News
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