By John Clise
After being charged federally, Delegate Derrick Evans (R-Wayne) resigned his seat in the house today effective immediately.
He released the following statement:
The past few days have certainly been a difficult time for my family, colleagues and myself, so I feel it’s best at this point to resign my seat in the House and focus on my personal situation and those I love. I take full responsibility for my actions, and deeply regret any hurt, pain or embarrassment I may have caused my family, friends, constituents and fellow West Virginians. I hope this action I take today can remove any cloud of distraction from the state Legislature, so my colleagues can get to work in earnest building a brighter future for our state. And more importantly, I hope it helps to begin the healing process, so we can all move forward and come together as ‘One Nation, Under God.’”
Evans faces federal charges of knowingly entering or remaining in restricted building or grounds without lawful entry and violent entry and disorderly conduct on capitol grounds.
House Minority Leader Doug Skaff, Jr. sent a letter to Speaker Roger Hanshaw urging action regarding Delegate-elect Derrick Evans before his resignation.
West Virginia Republican Chairwoman Melody Potter released the following statement regarding Evans’ resignation.
During a Friday press conference West Virginia Governor Jim Justice also commented on Evans’ actions at the Capitol.
“You know me, I don’t sugarcoat things and I don’t try to give you a political answer. I think it’s terrible.”
“I think it’s a scar on West Virginia. He can come up with any excuse in the world, but being there and rushing and entering the Capitol of the United States of America. I mean, how in the world can we possibly, possibly think that’s anything but bad stuff?”
The West Virginia Legislature is set to have an organizational day January 13. The legislative session will begin February 10.
Clise's Cornucopia 