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West Virginia Senate President Smith names remainder of leadership team, committee chairs

State Senate President Randy Smith presides over the West Virginia Senate’s organizational session on Wednesday, Jan. 8. The Legislature will begin the regular 60-day session on Wednesday, Feb. 12. (Photo courtesy of WV Legislative Photography)

CHARLESTON — State Senate President Randy Smith named the rest of his new leadership team headlining into the 2025 legislative session, as well as the remainder of his major committee chairs and vice chairs, only retaining one senator from his predecessor’s tenure.

Smith, R-Tucker, had already announced a new majority leader and the leadership teams for the Senate’s Finance and Judiciary committees earlier this month. In a statement Wednesday, Smith said he was excited to begin the 60-day regular session on Wednesday, Feb. 12, with a new team in place.

“I’m proud of the team we have put together for the upcoming session,” Smith said. “I knew that I wanted fresh perspectives and a new approach to how we work as a team to address the challenges that are facing West Virginia. Each one of our committee chairmen and vice chairmen brings a unique perspective to the table, and I am very excited about the work that we will accomplish together.”

Smith was formally voted in last Wednesday as senate president after being selected as the Senate Republican caucus’ nominee last December. The retired coal miner and chairman of the Senate Energy, Industry and Mining Committee succeeds former senate president Craig Blair, a Republican state senator from Berkeley County who lost his GOP primary last May.

Smith announced that state Sen. Jay Taylor, R-Taylor, will be his new majority whip. He succeeds state Sen. Ryan Weld, R-Brooke, in that role. Taylor first took office in 2023 and is in the middle of his four-year term. He previously served as vice chairman of the Senate Outdoor Recreation Committee.

In December, Smith announced that former Senate Economic Development Committee Vice Chairman Patrick Martin, R-Lewis, would become the next Senate Majority Leader, succeeding state Sen. Tom Takubo, R-Kanawha, who held that role during Blair’s tenure as senate president.

Smith also announced Wednesday the remaining chair and vice chair positions for major Senate committees. Only Senate Education Committee Chairwoman Amy Grady, R-Mason, will retain her gavel going into the new year. Grady, an elementary school teacher, first took office in 2021 and is beginning her second four-year term. Sen. Charles Clements, R-Wetzel, will remain her vice chairman.

State Sen. Laura Wakim Chapman, R-Ohio, will chair the Senate Health and Human Resources Committee. Chapman, who first took office in 2023, succeeds former Republican Marshall County state senator Mike Maroney, who lost his GOP primary last year and is facing a jury trial on charges of indecent exposure, disorderly conduct and driving under the influence. State Sen. Vince Deeds, R-Greenbrier, will be her vice chairman.

“I look forward to working to improve accessibility to healthcare, lowering health costs, and shortening wait times for our citizens,” Chapman said in a post on social media Wednesday. “The committee will find creative solutions for mental health and addiction treatment, childcare, foster care, and other issues. We will also look for way to support our health professionals and find ways to expand the workforce.”

State Sen. Patricia Rucker, R-Jefferson, will chair the Senate Government Organization Committee. Rucker, who won reelection in a contested primary and general election, previously chaired the Senate’s School Choice and Education committees. She first took office in 2017 and is beginning her third four-year term. The previous chairman of the Senate Government Organization Committee — state Sen. Jack David Woodrum, R-Summers — will serve as Rucker’s vice chairman.

Smith previously announced that state Sen. Mike Stuart, R-Kanawha, will serve as chairman of the Senate Judiciary Committee, with state Sen. Tom Willis, R-Berkeley, serving as his vice chairman; and state Sen. Jason Barrett, R-Berkeley will serve as chairman of the Senate Finance Committee, with state Sen. Rollan Roberts, R-Raleigh, as his vice chairman.

Smith also made the following appointments to the Senate minor committees:

* Energy, Industry and Mining: Chairman Chris Rose, R-Monongalia; Vice Chairman Ben Queen, R-Harrison.

* Economic Development: Chairman Glenn Jeffries, R-Putnam; Vice Chairman Robbie Morris, R-Randolph.

* Banking and Insurance: Chairman Mike Azinger, R-Wood; Vice Chairman Robbie Morris, R-Randolph.

* Military: Chairman Ryan Weld, R-Brooke; Vice Chairman Scott Fuller, R-Wayne.

* Pensions: Chairman Mike Oliverio, R-Monongalia.

* Agriculture: Chairman Craig Hart, R-Mingo; Vice Chairman Darren Thorne, R-Hampshire.

* Natural Resources: Chairman Bill Hamilton, R-Upshur; Vice-Chairman Vince Deeds, R-Greenbrier.

* Workforce: Chairman Rollan Roberts, R-Raleigh; Vice Chairman Jack David Woodrum, R-Summers.

* Confirmations: Chairwoman Donna Boley, R-Pleasants; Vice-Chairwoman Laura Wakim Chapman, R-Ohio.

* Enrolled Bills: Chairman Jack David Woodrum, R-Summers; Vice Chairman Scott Fuller, R-Wayne.

* Rules: Chairman Randy Smith, R-Preston; Vice Chairman Senator Patrick Martin, R-Lewis.

* Select Committee on Substance Abuse and Mental Health: Chairman Brian Helton, R-Fayette; Vice Chairman Ryan Weld, R-Brooke.

Steven Allen Adams can be reached at sadams@newsandsentinel.com

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