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The following is content from an external news source, republished with permission.
by Caity Coyne, West Virginia Watch
January 12, 2026
Del. Mike DeVault, R-Marion, resigned from the West Virginia House of Delegates Monday, meaning two seats in the legislative body will remain vacant as the 2026 legislative session is set to start on Wednesday.
DeVault sent his resignation letter to House Speaker Roger Hanshaw, R-Clay, on Monday morning. He said the decision to leave the body was “not made lightly” and came after “careful consideration” of his “personal and professional circumstances.” The resignation was effective as of 8 a.m. Monday.
“Serving the constituents of District 74 has been a profound honor, and I am grateful for the trust my community has placed in me over the years,” DeVault wrote in the letter. “I appreciate the support and camaraderie of my colleagues and the staff during my tenure. I will always cherish the experiences and the collaborative efforts we’ve shared to serve our state.”
DeVault previously served as vice chair of the House Economic Development Committee and sat on the body’s Energy and Manufacturing subcommittee, the Energy and Public Works committee, the Committee on Government Organization and the subcommittee for Local Governments.
DeVault was first elected to the House in 2022. He won reelection for his seat in 2024. During his three sessions in the House, he sponsored 128 pieces of legislation, four of which he served as lead sponsor on. Eight of the bills DeVault signed on to — two in 2023, five in 2024 and one in 2025 — became law.
His resignation follows that from former Del. Brandon Steele, R-Raleigh, in December. Steele, an attorney by trade, cited that his resignation was necessary due to “professional opportunities” arising that would “interfere” with his work in the House.
Last week, longtime Sen. Donna Boley, R-Pleasants, resigned from the State Senate, leaving one vacancy in that body as session is set to start this week. Boley was the longest continuously serving state senator in West Virginia history, having held the office for more than 40 years. Boley, 90 years old, said her resignation came as she needed to focus more on her family and her health.
West Virginia Watch is part of States Newsroom, a nonprofit news network supported by grants and a coalition of donors as a 501c(3) public charity. West Virginia Watch maintains editorial independence. Contact Editor Leann Ray for questions: info@westvirginiawatch.com.
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