CHARLESTON – The West Virginia Legislature gaveled in Wednesday as constitutionally required to receive election results, swear in members, and select its leaders for the next two years before gaveling back out, returning in February to begin the 60-day regular session.

In the House of Delegates, members re-elected House Speaker Roger Hanshaw, R-Clay, for a fifth time to serve as Speaker of the House. The vote was 84-8, with the House Democratic caucus nominating House Minority Leader Sean Hornbuckle, D-Cabell, as their House Speaker candidate as per tradition.

Hanshaw was administered the oath of office by Intermediate Court of Appeals Justice Dan Greear, joined by his wife Kristen and two daughters. Speaking following the vote, Hanshaw said he was humbled to once again serve as House Speaker.

“This is now the fifth time that this body has given me the privilege, the humbling privilege, of having been elected speaker of this body, and the opportunity to lead our collective effort to advance the State of West Virginia, which is why I know each of us put our names on ballots,” Hanshaw said. “I want to thank you for that privilege again today.

“It was a humbling honor the first time five elections ago in 2018 when this body gave me this opportunity,” Hanshaw continued. “But it’s been an even greater honor each time since then, because I take it as an affirmation of your confidence in what I’ve tried to do here and the environment I’ve tried to create.”

“He’s done so much for our state over the past decade,” said Hornbuckle, who introduced Hanshaw after Wednesday’s vote. “He has integrity at the core. He is witty, he’s wise, he’s knowledgeable, and more than anything, he’s understanding. Roger, he’s about the process…He is working for all of us in the state and he does what is right every single time, making sure that the process plays out.”

Hanshaw, who was first elected to the House in 2014, was first elected as House Speaker in 2018 to succeed Tim Armstead, R-Kanawha, who was appointed to the West Virginia Supreme Court of Appeals. Hanshaw was elected to a full two-year term in 2019, 2021 and 2023. Hanshaw is an attorney for Bowles Rice and a former staff attorney for the Senate Republican caucus.

In the state Senate, state Sen. Randy Smith, R-Tucker, was formally elected by his colleagues as Senate President, succeeding Senate President Craig Blair, R-Berkeley. Senate Minority Leader Mike Woelfel, D-Cabell, closed any further nominations, making Smith’s elevation to Senate President official. Smith, joined by his wife Patty, was sworn in by Chief Justice William Wooton.

“I’m just so overwhelmed today with the love and support that each of you have shown me,” Smith said after being sworn in. “I’ve never had a more humbling experience than I’ve had today … I love each and every one of my colleagues that’s put your trust in me, and I’ll try my best to never let you down.”

The state Constitution requires the Legislature, following an election when a governor is elected, to meet on the second Wednesday of January to open and publish election returns, then gavel out until the second Wednesday in February, which is Feb. 12. On the convening of the Legislature in odd numbered years, the House and Senate elect their officers for two-year terms.

The House and Senate gaveled in at noon Wednesday, with Secretary of State Mac Warner – in one of his last official acts before being succeeded by his brother, Secretary of State-Elect Kris Warner, on Monday – presenting both chambers with the results of the 2024 general election. Both chambers met in a joint session at 1:30 p.m. to accept the election results.

“It is an honor and a privilege for me to appear before this joint session of the West Virginia Legislature in accordance with the Constitution of the State of West Virginia,” Warner said. “I’m here today to present to the Clerk of the House and the Clerk of the Senate, the certifications of election from the November 5th, 2024, general election.”