A West Virginia delegate-elect was ousted Wednesday while confined to his house on charges related to terroristic threats against his colleagues.

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Albuquerque

Bernalillo County

New Mexico

United States

West Virginia lawmakers oust delegate-elect on house arrest who made terroristic threats

A West Virginia lawmaker who was charged with making terroristic threats wasn't permitted to take the oath of office required to serve in the Legislature. He couldn’t — he’s serving

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In one of the most chaotic developments in a state legislature in months, the West Virginia House of Delegates has vacated a seat of a newly-elected Republican state legislator — and due to a bizarre series of events, Democrats may get to appoint his replacement, despite the seat being in a county that gave two-thirds of its vote to Trump.Delegate-elect Joseph De Soto, who ran unopposed last year after winning the GOP primary for House District …

Raw Story

John K. Byrne

Michael Rogers (publisher)

West Virginia legislature vacates lawmaker's seat after his arrest for terroristic threats

Hubbard Broadcasting

House Republicans on Wednesday voted to vacate the seat of Joseph de Soto, a delegate-elect accused last month of threatening to harm and kill lawmakers.
	The decision will face a legal challenge from the state Democratic Party, who say Republicans didn’t follow the proper legal procedure for removing the controversial delegate-elect. De Soto was elected in November as a Republican then switched to the Democratic party hours before his arrest. T…

Alternet

Washington

District of Columbia

WV House Republicans vacate seat of lawmaker accused of threatening to kill members

The 87th West Virginia legislature gaveled in just after noon on Jan. 8, 2025, quickly handling opening day business before adjorning until February. New legislators took the oath of office and House and Senate, and leaders in both chambers were chosen by the members. After taking a break for U.S. Sen.-elect Jim Justice's farewell address to the legislature, the House of Delegates approved a resolution that officially makes vacant the seat won b…

Charleston Gazette-Mail

HD Media

Charleston

Kanawha County

West Virginia

WV Legislature: Leadership elected, Justice says goodbye, de Soto's seat debated

CHARLESTON, W.Va. (AP) — A West Virginia delegate-elect was ousted Wednesday while confined to his house on charges related to terroristic threats against his colleagues. Joseph de Soto, who recently became a Democrat, was elected in November to represent the southern part of Berkeley County in West Virginia's 91st district as a Republican. He was arrested in December after saying God had called on him to kill several members of the Legislature,…

WBOY

Nexstar Media Group

West Virginia lawmakers oust delegate-elect who allegedly made terroristic threats

CHARLESTON, WV (WOWK) – Wednesday marked the opening day for the 87th West Virginia legislature, which swore in all the new senators and delegates one month before the legislative session.  Nine new senators and 16 new delegates took oath on Wednesday to lead the state in what many hope will be a new direction. Three of those 16 delegates are returning after having previously served in the West Virginia House several years ago: Del. Canterbury, …

WOWK

West Virginia delegates, senators sworn in ahead of 2025 legislative session

Winnipeg Sun

Leon Cooperman

Allianz

CHARLESTON, W.Va. (AP) — A West Virginia delegate-elect was ousted Wednesday while confined to his house on charges related to terroristic threats against his colleagues. Joseph de Soto, who recently became a Democrat, was elected in November to represent the southern part of Berkeley County in West Virginia's 91st district as a Republican. He was arrested in December after saying God had called on him to kill several members of the Legislature,…

WTRF

West Virginia lawmaker who allegedly made terroristic threats wasn't allowed to take oath of office

Joseph de Soto, a newly elected delegate from West Virginia, was officially removed from office Wednesday while under house confinement. De Soto, 61, is facing charges stemming from alleged terroristic threats against several state lawmakers. De Soto, who switched from the Republican Party to the Democratic Party prior to the election, was chosen in November to represent Berkeley County’s southern region in District 91. In December, he was arres…

American Faith

West Virginia Delegate-Elect Removed Over Alleged Terroristic Threats - American Faith

West Virginia lawmakers oust delegate-elect on house arrest who made terroristic threats

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