Steven Shaffer (D – Preston), representing the 52nd Delegate District, was sworn into office during a brief ceremony Tuesday morning in the House Chamber. West Virginia Supreme Court Justice Robin Davis administered the oath of office. Shaffer was joined in the ceremony by his former law partner Ronnie Brown, his current law partner Paul Estep, his son Stephen and his two grandchildren Addison and Owen.
Shaffer fills the vacancy left by the retirement of Larry Williams, who is stepping aside after 22 years in the Legislature to accept a position with the West Virginia Department of Agriculture.
Shaffer, a former coal miner, was elected mayor of Tunnelton in 1980 as well as to the Preston County Board of Education in 1996. He also served as assistant prosecutor for Preston County from 2003 to 2005 and is currently a partner at Estep & Shaffer, L.C. Attorneys at Law.
