MORGANTOWN — Delegate Amy Summers, R-Taylor, has been named to serve as House majority leader for the 84th Legislature, which begins in January.
House Speaker Roger Hanshaw, R-Clay, announced the choice. She will be the first Republican woman to serve as Majority Leader, and possibly the first woman of any party, though House leaders weren’t altogether sure of that because House records don’t list majority leaders.
Summers, of Flemington, represents the 49th District, which covers most of Taylor County along with southeastern Monongalia and eastern Marion. First elected to the House in 2014, she is a registered nurse and owner of an Angus cattle farm, according to the House release on the announcement.
She most recently served as vice-chair of the House Health Committee. She also served on the Agriculture and Natural Resources, Judiciary and Political Subdivisions committees.
“I’m honored by the confidence Speaker Hanshaw has shown in me with the majority leader appointment,” Summers said. “West Virginia is at a key turning point. Our caucus’s bold, conservative leadership has pulled the state out of the morass in the past few years, and now we have a tremendous opportunity to build a brighter future for all. I look forward to working with my colleagues in the coming years to create a more prosperous state for generations to come.”
Hanshaw said, “Having worked with Amy the past four years on the Judiciary Committee, I’ve seen firsthand the reasoning and tenacity that will help her excel as majority leader.”
Hanshaw also filled two other leadership posts. Delegate Kayla Kessinger, R-Fayette, will serve as assistant majority leader; and Delegate Paul Espinosa, R-Jefferson, will serve as majority whip.
Hanshaw said, “Republican leadership has made great strides to improve our state since taking over the Legislature in 2015, and now I’m looking to assemble a team of people that can build on that foundation and take us to a new level of prosperity. Amy, Kayla and Paul are committed to moving our state forward, and have shown repeatedly over the last few years that they have the energy, passion and command of the issues to help effectively lead our caucus in the coming years.”
Hanshaw said additional leadership positions and committee appointments will be revealed in the coming days.
