Tim Miley (D-Harrison) was elected Speaker of the House of Delegates during a brief special session at the Capitol this afternoon. The Harrison County attorney and former House Judiciary chairman, becomes the 53rd speaker in state history after defeating Republican nominee Tim Armstead by a vote of 53-44.
Miley was elected to the House in 2004 and has served as chairman of the body’s Judiciary Committee since 2009. During a brief speech following his election, Miley pledged to work for bipartisan support while focusing on education and improving the state’s highway and Internet infrastructure, both of which he linked to economic development.
Armstead offered to seek a good working relationship with Miley and the Democrats during a floor speech following the vote.
Miley succeeds Rick Thompson, who recently resigned to become Secretary of the Department of Veterans Assistance in Governor Earl Ray Tomblin’s administration.
