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CHARLESTON - Nearly one month after stepping aside as leader of the 11-member Democratic caucus in the 100-member House of Delegates, Del. Doug Skaff has resigned from the House with a possible party change and statewide candidacy being considered.
Skaff, D-Kanawha, sent a letter of resignation Friday to House Speaker Roger Hanshaw, R-Clay. House Clerk Steve Harrison was also copied on the letter.
"Please accept this letter as my official notice that I am resigning as a member of the House of Delegates from the 56th District," Skaff wrote. "It has been a blessing to work with so many amazing and talented leaders from across our wonderful state. I will cherish those relationships and memories forever, and I feel blessed that I was elected to serve as one of 100 for nearly 11 years."
Skaff was first elected to the House of Delegates in 2008 and served two terms. He ran and won again in 2018 and is in his third consecutive term. The House Democratic Caucus chose Skaff as its minority leader twice after former House Minority Leader Tim Miley, D-Harrison, declined to seek re-election. Skaff served as minority leader in 2020 and again in 2022.
In an announcement in August, Skaff said he would step down as minority leader at the end of August interim meetings and the August special session called by Gov. Jim Justice. Del. Sean Hornbuckle, D-Cabell, was chosen by the Democratic caucus to serve as minority leader, succeeding Skaff.
Skaff is the president of HD Media, the owner of several newspapers including The Charleston Gazette-Mail and Herald-Dispatch in Huntington. Skaff also owns and manages his family's businesses, including a building materials supply company.
Rumors have abounded that Skaff plans to switch political parties and join the Republican Party, then seek a statewide office, such as Secretary of State. According to the Secretary of State's Office, Skaff still remains a registered member of the Democratic Party. In his letter Friday, Skaff said he was still considering what his political future might be.
"Together, we worked to create new jobs, lower taxes for all, enhance broadband, support our seniors and fix our roads," Skaff said. "Although my time in the Legislature is coming to an end, serving the people of this state is my calling. I will continue to evaluate ways to give back and work for the people in whatever capacity that may be."
If Skaff would have switched parties prior to resigning, that would have taken the Democratic minority in the House from 11 to 10 out of 100 seats. Del. Elliott Pritt, R-Fayette, switched from the Democratic Party earlier this year. When Skaff returned to the House in 2019, there were 41 members of the House Democratic Caucus. The last time the Democratic held the majority in the House was 2015 when there were 53 Democratic delegates.