WV Speaker Hanshaw vows ‘we will remember’ after Morrisey targets House members in elections

West Virginia Watch
Amelia Ferrell Knisely and Lori Kersey
May 13, 2026

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Speaker Hanshaw Vows, “We will remember.”

Fourteen incumbent House members are projected to lose their primary races, including some who were at odds with the governor.

Tuesday’s election night shook up the West Virginia House of Delegates with a projection of 14 Republican incumbents losing their primary races, including House Finance Chair Vernon Criss.

Criss, a veteran lawmaker from Parkersburg, was a top target of Gov. Patrick Morrisey after the pair publicly clashed on budget issues, including the state’s $300 million Hope Scholarship  — an education voucher program. Morrisey traveled to Wood County to campaign against Criss, an unusual move for a governor in the same political party. 

On Wednesday, House Speaker Roger Hanshaw had strong words about Morrisey’s involvement this primary season as the governor wanted to unseat several incumbent members. 

“It is sad that the governor chose to insert himself where he did not belong rather than focusing on doing his own job these past several months,” said Hanshaw, R-Clay. “The House leadership and all the House members will always focus on things that matter to West Virginia and its people rather than the out-of-state interests that fund the governor’s PACs and pollute our mailboxes. 

So Mr. Handshaw, just what does that mean?
“It is sad that the governor chose to insert himself…”
But it not sad when you choose to insert yourself, Speaker Handshaw

The People of West Virginia Spoke – and That Is The Fact!