OAK HILL, WV (WOAY) – As questions continue over who the Republican nominee on the ballot will be, a former Fayette County commissioner says he wants to bring a conservative voice to the race for West Virginia House District 50.
Tom Louisos has registered as an independent to make certain he can get on the ballot as the Republican Party works through legal and procedural questions surrounding the possible removal of former Delegate Pritt from the ballot.
“I’m a business conservative. I believe what the governor and Republicans are doing, trying to bring West Virginia to prosperity, is the right direction. Their philosophy has been basically the same philosophy I have,” Louisos said. “I don’t believe there have been very many true business conservatives representing the 50th District. I know the value of a hardworking family’s dollar. I know how to use money efficiently and how to use it efficiently to help them.”
The 50th District in the West Virginia House of Delegates encompasses portions of Fayette County. Louisos told Newswatch that he is always happy to speak with voters and hear their concerns, and said his background has prepared him to be a delegate.
“My father served 22 years as a House of Delegates member. That gave me somewhat of a political background. The business that I fell into with my grandfather and father and worked with them through their lives gave me a business background in order to run for county commission,” Louisos said. “[Serving] county commission stepped it up even higher and brought a level of experience in trying to make changes and develop water, sewer, and infrastructure in the county. There’s a lot of issues that I think I can help with.”
District 50 was represented by former Delegate Elliott Pritt, who resigned this week following his arrest amid allegations of child sexual 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 nominate a replacement to join the race against Louisos and Democrat Mat Anderson.
In the meantime, Louisos is continuing his campaign as an independent and hopes to build trust in the district through his existing connections.
“I’ve been here in business here with my father and my grandfather since 1961. I grew up here. Everybody knows me,” he said.
