Ian Masters named as Joseph de Soto’s replacement in Berkeley County House District
By Matthew Young, RealWV
CHARLESTON, W.Va. – West Virginia Governor Patrick Morrisey, on Thursday, announced attorney Ian Masters as his choice to replace Joseph de Soto as delegate for the 91st House District. The 91st District represents the southern portion of Berkeley County.
While not identified as a Republican in Thursday’s press release, Morrisey did describe Masters as an “experienced conservative,” who currently serves as president of West Virginia Citizens Defense League (WVCDL), a pro-gun lobbyist group.
“Ian’s experience leading the WVCDL makes him exceptionally prepared to step in and represent the people of the 91st District,” Morrisey’s statement reads. “I’m confident he’ll bring experienced conservative leadership and be an effective legislator for southern Berkeley County.”
Masters’ predecessor in the 91st District, Joseph de Soto, was arrested on Dec. 12, after allegedly threatening to end the lives of several other members of the House of Delegates. de Soto is reported to have told police officers that God wanted him to kill his House colleagues. de Soto is currently on home confinement awaiting trial.
Though elected in November as a Republican, de Soto registered as a member of the Democratic Party prior to his arrest. On Jan. 8, the House of Delegates passed House Resolution 4, which deemed de Soto ineligible for membership within the House due to his failure to take the oath of office, thereby creating the vacancy. House Resolution 4 also ensured that de Soto be replaced by a registered Republican – a point which House Democrats vehemently opposed as de Soto was, in fact, a Democrat at the time his seat was vacated.
On January 15, the West Virginia Democratic Party filed a petition with the state’s Supreme Court of Appeals which sought the Court’s assistance in ensuring that the District 91 seat be filled by the party in office at the time of its vacancy. On the same day, the Berkeley County Democratic Executive Committee submitted, to Morrisey’s office, the names of three Democratic candidates whom they had nominated to replace de Soto. Morrisey has given no public statement regarding de Soto’s removal from the House of Delegates, nor has he commented publicly on the submission of Democratic nominees, or the petition filed with the State Supreme Court of Appeals.
RealWV will provide updates regarding Ian Master’s appointment to the House of Delegates as additional information is made available.
