A newly appointed West Virginia lawmaker is under fire after an Instagram comment linked to his account surfaced containing alleged antisemitic content, prompting calls for a formal investigation.
According to West Virginia Watch, a post made by an account connected to Del. Ian Masters, R-Berkeley, stated:
“(Portnoy is) not white. He’s a Jew. We never claimed them. That’s why he’s short tiny and weak.”
The comment appeared under an April 12 post that criticized Barstool Sports founder Dave Portnoy. The Instagram handle in question, No Quarter Masters, was linked to Ian T. Masters, who served as president of the West Virginia Citizens Defense League, a pro-gun group. Masters was appointed to the 91st District House seat by Gov. Patrick Morrisey earlier this year.
Account Details Raise More Questions
The account’s profile photo showed a personal envelope addressed to Masters and included symbols commonly associated with white nationalist groups. Though the account name was later updated and its affiliations removed, phone numbers and other identifying information suggested a strong connection to the delegate.
Masters has not returned direct requests for comment, but told West Virginia Watch that he does not hold antisemitic views, wasn’t sure whether he still had an Instagram account, and would investigate possible impersonation.
Speaker and Lawmakers Respond
House Speaker Roger Hanshaw, R-Clay, addressed the issue Wednesday on MetroNews Talkline, saying he had spoken directly to Masters.
“That is not the kind of thing we’re going to tolerate from any member of the body,” Hanshaw said. “Delegate Masters assures me he didn’t write the comment.”
Hanshaw added that Masters had previously used the Instagram account but said he could no longer log in and was seeking technical help to recover access. The Speaker indicated that the matter deserves further review, especially given the seriousness of the allegation.
Push for a Thorough Investigation
Del. Mike Pushkin, D-Kanawha, who is Jewish and chairs the West Virginia Democratic Party, condemned the comment and urged a comprehensive investigation.
“Given the gravity of what’s alleged, an investigation cannot simply mean asking the delegate, ‘Did you do it?’ and taking ‘No’ for an answer,” Pushkin said. “We need to get to the truth. West Virginians deserve to know whether someone representing them is promoting hate, bigotry, and extremism.”
Controversial Appointment Background
Masters was appointed after the previous delegate, Joseph de Soto, was removed from the House due to falsehoods about his military service and criminal charges for making threats against fellow lawmakers.
Despite de Soto’s switch to the Democratic Party before his removal, the House voted that the seat remained Republican. However, local Democrats submitted their own list of potential replacements — which Gov. Morrisey bypassed when appointing Masters.
Democrats have since challenged the appointment in court. That lawsuit was dismissed, but recent developments have intensified backlash over Morrisey’s choice.
“Democrats submitted three qualified, thoroughly vetted nominees to fill this seat,” said Tammy Offutt, chair of the Berkeley County Democratic Executive Committee. “Instead, the governor appointed someone accused of espousing white nationalist and antisemitic views. The people of this district deserve better.”
