UPDATE: The West Virginia Secretary of State has set a public meeting to consider the removal of Pritt from the November ballot for August 7.
FAYETTEVILLE, WV (WOAY) – The general election race for West Virginia House District 50 has taken yet another turn, as former Fayette County Commission President Tom Louisos has filed paperwork to run as an independent as of July 29.
Louisos was elected in 2018 and lost his seat on the Fayette County Commission in the 2024 Republican primary election. As an independent, Louisos needs to raise roughly 60 signatures, which is 1% of the total vote in the last general election.
Meanwhile, the Democratic candidate is forging ahead. Mathew Anderson says his campaign has not changed as the state untangles legal questions surrounding the November ballot.
“I haven’t really stopped campaigning,” Anderson said. “Instilling that trust in District 50 is much needed right now. We have to learn to meet in the middle. We have to have those hard conversations with each other. I’m going around knocking doors and going to certain events. We’re doing everything that we know to do.”
District 50 was represented by former Delegate Elliott Pritt, who resigned this week following his arrest amid allegations of child abuse.
Although Pritt resigned his seat, he did not withdraw from the race. If Pritt were to withdraw, the Republican Party would not be permitted to replace him.
The Fayette County Republican Party has asked the secretary of state to disqualify Pritt from the ballot, arguing that he is not capable of serving while incarcerated in Kentucky as the case moves through the system.
However, Pritt has not been convicted of a felony. In a statement, Secretary of State Kris Warner said that candidates awaiting trial remain eligible for the ballot, although moving out of the district would constitute a disqualification.
There has been no announcement of any change to Pritt’s legal residency, and the West Virginia Secretary of State’s website still lists his residence.
The State Election Commission is now considering the case. If Pritt is disqualified by Aug. 11, Republicans would be allowed to replace him.
In the meantime, Anderson says his work continues.
“For us, it’s just getting out and making those connections,” Anderson said. “We’re listening to what the people have to say and proving that we can be the next representative in District 50.”
