WHEELING — The Ohio County Republican Executive Committee has selected three candidates to fill the vacant District 4 House of Delegates seat, though the candidate who won the GOP nomination in the primary election is not among them.

Derek Ennis could not apply to fill the seat vacated by now-West Virginia Supreme Court Justice Bill Flanagan because Ennis has not been affiliated with the Republican Party for more than a year, a state requirement for appointment.

“I was a registered independent for a long time and changed my registration in October of 2025,” Ennis explained in a statement. “Under West Virginia law, those seeking appointment must have been registered with the Republican Party for 365 days preceding the vacancy. Therefore, I am ineligible for the appointment.”

Ennis remains eligible to serve if elected and will appear as the Republican nominee in the November general election.

Under West Virginia law, when a vacancy occurs in a partisan elected office, the respective political party executive committee of the elected official is responsible for reviewing eligible applicants and submitting three names to the governor for consideration. The final appointment is made by the governor.

Applicants seeking to temporarily fill the seat included Wheeling City Councilman Dave Palmer, auctioneer Shane Stack of Triadelphia, businessman Jordan Cline of Wheeling and retired sales professional John Arritt of Wheeling.

The committee selected Stack, Cline and Arritt to submit to Gov. Patrick Morrisey.

Morrisey is expected to make the appointment within five days.

The candidate chosen will fill the remainder of the current House term, which concludes at the end of the year.

“The Ohio County Republican Executive Committee thanks each of the applicants who came forward and expressed a willingness to serve the people of Ohio County and the Fourth District,” said Ohio County Republican Chairman Bob Luchetti. “This was an important responsibility for the Committee, and we appreciate the time, interest and commitment shown by each applicant throughout this process. We thank the WVGOP for its assistance with ensuring this process and the candidates were compliant with West Virginia law, and we now look forward to Governor Morrisey’s final appointment.”