MARTINSBURG, W.Va. — 61st District Delegate Jason Barrett is switching parties.
Barrett won his bid for re-election as a Democrat last month. He tells MetroNews he can be a more effective representative of his constituents in the majority.
“I think to be effective and do the best job I can for the citizens of the 61st District, I think it’s important that I serve in the Republican caucus at this point and serve in the majority,” Barrett told MetroNews Statewide Correspondent Brad McIlhenny.
He says the focus is good policy for the people of West Virginia. He says the focus of Democrats during the election cycle was politics and optics and how to beat Republicans, not help West Virginians.
“I think when you’re in the majority, it’s your responsibility to do those things – to put the people of West Virginia first — to come up with good policy that is responsible for West Virginia and allows West Virginians a place to live, work, and raise a family.”
Barrett announced today that he plans to make the switch at the Secretary of State’s office in Martinsburg.
You can read more of Brad McIlhenny’s story at WVMetroNews.com