By Esteban Fernandez
Times West Virginian
FAIRMONT — Del. Mike DeVault, R-74, announced his resignation from the West Virginia House of Delegates on Monday.
DeVault had the choice to finish his term, but made his decision to resign after a lot of soul searching.
“It was going to be another year away from my wife, my business,” DeVault said. “I’ve only had my heart surgery for a year. I’m not progressing, I’m starting to regress. Really, my son said, ‘Dad, we got to get you going again.’”
DeVault chose to prioritize his health, as well as his love for his wife and concern for her wellbeing, over continuing to serve in the state legislature. DeVault received several calls throughout the day.
“I’ve had a lot of calls today from constituents that hated for me not to come back, but when I talked to them, they all understood,” he said. “I hate to leave, but I feel good about leaving.”
DeVault made the announcement in a letter to the Marion County Republican Party Executive Committee. He said serving the constituents of his district was a profound honor and he was grateful for the trust his community placed in him. His resignation comes three days before the start of the 2026 legislative session.
Scott Crouch, chair of the Marion County Republican Executive Committee, said he doesn’t expect DeVault’s resignation to have much impact on legislative policymaking. He said the committee has 15 days to come up with a three-person list of potential replacements. Once submitted to the governor, the position must be filled in five days with one of the three potential replacements.
“It’s pretty expeditious to get a list of replacements to the governor,” Crouch said.
DeVault won election to office in 2022 and 2024. Crouch said DeVault served on some important committees. DeVault was vice chair of the House Economic Development Committee and served on the Committees on Energy and Manufacturing, Energy and Public Works, Government Organization and Local Governments.
DeVault also had an interest in the aviation industry, and was a proponent of expanding the aviation industry in North Central West Virginia. He currently serves on the board of the Fairmont Municipal Airport and North Central West Virginia Airport.
“(House)Speaker Roger Hanshaw said the state probably needs to look at building hangars,” DeVault said. “I couldn’t agree with him more. It’s one of those things, you build it, they will come. If the state would use money on these airports and build hangars that could be rendered for businesses in the aerospace world, they will come.”
DeVault also supports Hanshaw’s agenda focused on economic development. He said developing a job creation strategy could fix a lot of problems. Once people enter the workforce and gain disposable income, tax revenue rises, which in turn makes a town and state more vibrant.
Crouch said the Marion County Republican Executive Committee needs to meet to decide on candidates for DeVault’s replacement. Until then, he doesn’t know who could eventually take DeVault’s seat. The appointment would also only be till the end of the year. DeVault’s replacement will also have to run for election in November.
“I’m excited about, I’m anxious to see who takes my seat,” he said. “Anxious to see how the election goes in the spring. So happy with where West Virginia is looking, and happy to say I feel like I was part of bringing some of that in.”
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