Hall’s Replacement Hinges on High Court Decision

The state Supreme Court is suspending an appointment to a key Senate opening until the court rules whether a Democrat or Republican should fill the seat. Republican Attorney General Patrick Morrisey asked the court for the delay and the stay was granted Friday. The court will hear oral arguments about ex-Sen. Daniel Hall’s replacement Tuesday.
The former Wyoming County lawmaker was elected a Democrat in 2012 and turned Republican after the 2014 elections, breaking a tie for an 18-16 GOP majority. Hall recently resigned. Gov. Earl Ray Tomblin’s court filings say he’ll appoint a Democrat unless otherwise court-orderd. A ruling that favors Democrats would deadlock the Senate.