Woelfel and Hornbuckle remain Minority Leaders, Hanshaw to continue as Speaker of the House

By Matthew Young, RealWV

CHARLESTON, W.Va. – One day after Republicans named Randy Smith as their nominee to succeed Craig Blair as West Virginia’s next Senate President, the two remaining Senate Democrats announced that Mike Woelfel will once again serve as Minority Leader. 

Smith, 64, who describes himself as being “very conservative,” represents something of a tonal shift away from the more moderate Blair, potentially limiting Woelfel and fellow Democrat Joey Garcia even more so than in previous years.

However, Woelfel remains cautiously optimistic, saying, “I think we share a few similar priorities, such as our focus on small businesses and an all-of-the-above energy strategy.” 

“Obviously, there will be points on which we see things differently, but I believe we can work together productively,” Woelfel added.

For his part, shortly after receiving the nomination Sunday, Smith signaled his willingness to work with those who have differing points of view, telling reporters, “All of us have one vote.”

“All of us represent a district, and everyone will be free to vote what’s (best) for their district, or what their moral values are,” Smith continued, before adding, “I might not agree with them, but I’ll listen to everybody.”

Garcia, 41, who was elected to the State Senate last month after serving two terms in the House of Delegates, succeeds retiring Sen. Mike Caputo. Sen. Robert Plymale, who, after 32 years in office, had been the longest serving Democrat, and second-longest serving State Senator behind Republican Sen. Donna Boley, did not seek re-election in 2024. His seat was ultimately won by Republican Scott Fuller, reducing the Democratic Senate caucus to just two members. 

Garcia joined with Woelfel in congratulating Smith on his nomination for the Senate presidency, noting that, “As Democrats, we believe that all people should have the opportunity to stay, rebuild, and succeed in West Virginia, and we will use our leverage and voice to stand up for what’s right.”

Both Woelfel and Garcia expressed their belief that the focus “should be on bringing more jobs to West Virginia, rather than the divisive issues,” with Woelfel adding, “We will fight to bring in companies who want to invest in good-paying jobs for West Virginians.”

In the House of Delegates, Republican Roger Hanshaw was unopposed in his successful bid for re-nomination as Speaker of the House. An attorney and skilled parliamentarian, the 44-year-old Hanshaw was first elected to the House in 2014, and has served as House Speaker since 2018. 

And on the Democratic side of the House Chamber, 39-year-old Sean Hornbuckle will continue to serve as Minority Leader – a position he assumed after former Minority Leader, Democrat-turned-Republican Doug Skaff resigned his office to unsuccessfully pursue a bid for Secretary of State.  

With the Republican supermajorities in both the House and Senate, and barring any unforeseen circumstances, the outcomes of leadership positions are no longer in question. Hanshaw and Smith are slated to be formally elected on January 8.

Despite the official legislative leadership elections taking place on January 8, the 2025 Legislative Session will begin Wednesday, February 12 to accommodate the swearing in of the state’s new Constitutional officers.