Thorne to succeed Charles Trump in Virginia Senate

Photo courtesy/WV Legislative Photography Del. Darren Thorne attends an interim legislative meeting in November in Charleston. Thorne will succeed former Senate Judiciary Committee Chairman Charles Trump in the West Virginia Senate.

CHARLESTON — Gov. Jim Justice has appointed Del. Darren Thorne to succeed former Senate Judiciary Committee Chairman Charles Trump in the West Virginia Senate as Trump takes his seat on the state Supreme Court of Appeals.

In a one-paragraph news release Friday afternoon, Judge nominated Thorne, R-Hampshire, to one of two Senate seats representing the 15th Senate District, which includes Hampshire and Morgan counties, as well than part of Berkeley County.

Thorne was first elected to the House of Delegates in 2022 and was re-elected to a second two-year term in November. He was challenged by Democratic opponent Alyson Reeves, defeating her with more than 79% of the vote.

“I am honored that Governor Justice has chosen me to be the next senator for the 15th District,” Thorne said in a separate statement Friday. “I have greatly enjoyed my time in the House of Delegates and look forward to serving both my current constituents in Hampshire County and my new constituents in Morgan and Berkeley Counties in this new role.” I look forward to this opportunity and will work with Senate leadership to move West Virginia forward.”

Thorne will succeed former Morgan County Republican state senator Charles Trump, who resigned earlier this month as he prepares to be sworn in next month after winning the election in May in the state Supreme Court. According to his resignation letter, Trump’s resignation took effect on December 10.

“It has been the great honor and privilege of my life to serve with you and our Senate colleagues over the past 10 years. » Trump wrote. “I have loved every minute of our work together for the citizens of West Virginia. I leave with a full heart, knowing that under the continued leadership of the Senate, West Virginia has a bright future ahead.

Trump, a Berkeley Springs-based lawyer, served seven two-year terms in the House of Delegates, first elected in 1992 and serving until 2006. The House Republican caucus selected him to serve as whip of minority in the House and House Minority Leader during his term. the House.

After an eight-year hiatus from legislative service, Trump was recruited in 2014 to run for state Senate, defeating former Democratic Sen. Donald Cookman. Trump won re-election to the Senate in 2022, defeating third-party candidate Robin Mills by more than 60 points.

Trump served as chairman of the Senate Judiciary Committee, one of the Senate’s largest and busiest committees. Trump faced no opposition in May’s election, which serves as a general election for nonpartisan judicial races.

“I thank you and all our fellow senators, as well as the remarkable Senate staff, for the friendship and many kindnesses always shown to me by all,” Trump wrote in his resignation letter.