(Editorial - Graphic Illustration - MetroCreativeConnection)

With the retirement of former state Sen. Donna Boley, the question on the minds of many Mid-Ohio Valley residents was who might fill the empty seat. Gov. Patrick Morrisey has made an excellent choice in Del. Trenton Barnhart, R-Pleasants.

Barnhart has worked alongside Boley long enough to understand how she was getting the job done, and has been in the House of Delegates long enough to know the priorities on which his constituents will want him to focus.

“It’s the honor and privilege of my life to be able to serve in this building, let alone on this side of the building. It’s something I’ve always wanted to do. I have immensely huge shoes to fill,” he said upon his swearing in Wednesday.

He does have big shoes to fill, but he is most capable.

“Delegate Barnhart has served West Virginians in the 7th District with energy, integrity, and a deep commitment to conservative principles,” Morrisey said. “I am honored to appoint him to the West Virginia Senate to succeed Senator Donna Boley, whose decades of service have shaped our state for the better.”

While Morrisey has his own reasons for touting Barnhart’s “deep commitment to conservative principles,” Pleasants County residents must be confident that his deeper commitment is to them and improving the economy and quality of life in West Virginia as a whole.

In talking about stepping into the role Boley filled so capably for so long, Barnhart said “I’ll just do the best that I can.”

If he is dedicated to giving HIS best to making our region and state the best they can be, that will be enough.