Gov. Jim Justice announced today [Tuesday] that he has appointed Trenton C. Barnhart to the House of Delegates to represent the 7th District.
Barnhart fills the vacancy created by the resignation of Del. Jason Harshbarger, who resigned from the seat last month.
The 7th House District is made up of the entirety of Ritchie County and a large portion of Pleasants County.
Harshbarger, a twice-elected Republican from Ritchie County, left the House to pursue a lobbying position with his longtime employer, Dominion Energy.
According to a news release from the governor’s office, Barnhart is a lifelong resident of Pleasants County and currently lives in St. Mary’s. He currently works as a compliance auditor for the state.
A Republican committee had also offered former Del. Woody Ireland of Pullman and Don Boley of St. Mary’s as possible appointees.
