Bill Flanagan

WHEELING – Current West Virginia House of Delegate member Bill Flanagan, R-Ohio, will resign his seat and soon be sworn in as justice on the West Virginia Supreme Court of Appeals.

This means the District 4 House seat soon will be vacant.

The Ohio County Republican Executive Committee, in coordination with the West Virginia Republican Party, is seeking qualified applicants to temporarily fill out Flanigan’s unexpired term representing District 4. The term expires Dec. 31.

Republican Derrick Ennis and Democrat Joe Jividen are the nominees who will face off in the Nov. 3 general election for the District 4 delegate seat.

“Whoever is elected in November will take Flanigan’s seat in January,” explained Ohio County Republican Party Chairman Robert Luchetti. “In the meantime, there will be someone to fill his (Flanigan’s) seat.”

He added he has talked to Ennis, who indicated he would be applying for the interim position.

Others interested in filling the seat temporarily may apply online through the West Virginia Republican Party at www.wvgop.org.

Under West Virginia law, as Flanagan was elected to the House as a Republican, applicants seeking appointment must be registered Republicans and must have resided within District 4 at least 365 days before the appointment.

Applications must be submitted no later than June 13, 2026.

Following the application deadline, probably sometime early next week, the Ohio County Republican Executive Committee will contact eligible candidates for interviews.

The names of three individuals will be submitted to the Governor for consideration, and a final appointment to the unexpired term will be made by Governor Patrick Morrisey.

The Ohio County Republican Executive Committee encourages all eligible Republicans who are interested in serving the citizens of the 4th District and representing Ohio County in the West Virginia House of Delegates to apply.

Additional information regarding the application process may be obtained by visiting www.wvgop.org or contacting the Ohio County Republican Executive Committee or the West Virginia Republican Party Executive Director Ryan Jacinto at ryan@wvgop.org or 304-890-9401.