With the announcement that Sen. Herb Snyder will not run again for the Senate, Delegate Stephen Skinner has announced that he will run for the open seat in 2016. Skinner praised Sen. Snyder’s leadership and effectiveness: “Herb is one of the hardest working legislators in West Virginia. His focus on detail is just one of the reasons why he will be missed.”

Over the past three years, Stephen Skinner advocated to protect workers, consumers, and small business owners. He has been a vigorous defender of ratepayers of electric utilities. He made the initial request to the West Virginia Public Service Commission that led to its investigation of Potomac Edison’s billing practices. He is currently fighting to protect West Virginia’s solar industry from the dominance of the electric utilities. Along with civil rights and privacy issues, he has focused attention on hospitality and tourism, which Skinner believes is vital to the Eastern Panhandle, and a diversified West Virginia economy.

Skinner pointed to his vote this past session against allowing public service districts to raise their rates as evidence that he puts the Eastern Panhandle first. “I have always put partisan politics behind what is important for the Eastern Panhandle,” Skinner said. “That bill, which had Republican and Democratic support, raises the rates of PSD customers in Jefferson and Berkeley County. That’s why I voted no.”

Skinner, who now represents the 67th District in the House of Delegates, has quickly moved into leadership positions in the House, playing a significant role in shaping important legislation in the last three years. He will make a formal campaign announcement later this year.