House Finance chair ousted; Deeds, Takubo survive Senate primary after being targeted by Morrisey

By: Amelia Ferrell Knisely

Outlets: West Virginia Watch

Published: May 13, 2026

Words: 900

Last Updated: 3 weeks, 6 days ago

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After Gov. Patrick Morrisey’s heavy meddling in a dozen Republican primary races, Tuesday’s results showed successes and losses for his preferred statehouse candidates.

In Wood County, House Finance Chairman Vernon Criss, R-Wood, lost his reelection bid to Morrisey’s preferred candidate, Charles Hartzog, a 23-year-old who is a part-time employee at Walmart.

Criss and Morrisey have openly feuded over state budget matters since just a few weeks into the governor’s term. Morrisey recently took a road …

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