Moore Capito announced on Thursday, Dec. 21, 2023, that he was resigning from his position in the West Virginia House of Delegates to focus on the governor’s race. (Perry Bennett | West Virginia Legislative Photography)
BY: LORI KERSEY – DECEMBER 21, 2023 4:20 PM
Moore Capito, a Republican lawmaker and candidate for governor, has resigned from the House of Delegates to focus on the governor’s race, he announced Thursday.
Capito, R-Kanawha, announced his resignation during Gov. Jim Justice’s administration briefing Thursday afternoon and in a letter to House leadership.
“I want to spend every moment I can listening to West Virginians so I can effectively and responsibly serve as their next governor,” Capito wrote to House Speaker Roger Hanshaw, R-Clay. “This commitment, I have determined, requires that I relinquish my legislative role while pursuing the governorship, which will also avoid even the appearance that the politics of the campaign might distract from the work of the legislature.”
Capito’s resignation is effective noon Friday.
Introducing Capito during the virtual briefing, Justice called him a “great friend” and later thanked him for his “years of incredible service” as House Judiciary chair.
When a reporter asked Justice if Capito’s appearance at the briefing should be interpreted as the governor’s endorsement, Justice said no.
“You should not interpret this as any way other than the fact that Moore contacted us, I found out about it last night that Moore wanted to come in and hand deliver or give us his resignation,” Justice said. “He’s been our judiciary chair in the House for eight years now and he’s done a heck of a nice job and he’s a great young man from an incredible family.”
Capito was first elected to the House in 2016. He’s the son of U.S. Senator Shelley Moore Capito (R-W.Va.) and grandson of the late former Gov. Arch Moore, who served three years in prison after being convicted on corruption charges.
Moore is one of four prominent Republicans who have announced plans to run for governor. Besides Capito, candidates include Attorney General Patrick Morrisey, Secretary of State Mac Warner and car dealership owner Chris Miller.
Moore previously endorsed Justice in his bid for election to Senator Joe Manchin’s seat.
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https://westvirginiawatch.com/briefs/moore-capito-resigns-from-house-to-focus-on-governors-race/