Senate President Randy Smith announces leadership changes for 2026 Regular Session

Senate President Randy E. Smith, R-Preston, announced several leadership changes ahead of the 2026 Regular Session, which began at noon Wednesday, January 14.

Senator Jay Taylor, R-Taylor, has been named President Pro Tempore. He was elected to the Senate in 2022. He currently serves as the Vice Chairman of the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure, and serves as a member of the Confirmation, Education, Energy, Industry and Mining, Health and Human Resources, Interstate Cooperation, Judiciary, Military, and Rules committees.

Senator Ben Queen, R-Harrison, has been named Senate Majority Whip. He was elected to the Senate in 2022 and previously served in the House of Delegates from 2017 to 2022. He is the Vice Chairman of the Committee on Energy, Industry and Mining, and serves as a member of the Agriculture, Finance, Health and Human Resources, Interstate Cooperation, Natural Resources, and Workforce committees.

Senator Brian Helton, R-Fayette, has been named Chairman of the Committee on Health and Human Resources. He was elected to the Senate in 2024 and serves as the Chairman of the Select Committee on Substance Use Disorder and Mental Health and Vice Chairman of the Committee on Interstate Cooperation. He is a member of the Economic Development, Energy, Industry and Mining, Government Organization, Judiciary, and Transportation and Infrastructure committees.

Senator Anne B. Charnock, R-Kanawha, has been named Chairman of the Committee on Confirmations. She was appointed to the Senate in 2025 by Governor Patrick Morrisey. She currently serves as Vice Chairman of the Committee on Confirmations, and serves as a member of the Banking and Insurance, Economic Development, Energy, Industry and Mining, Government Organization, and Judiciary committees.

“I’m grateful to these Senators for agreeing to step up and take on new leadership roles as we get started this year,” Smith said. “These changes put us in a strong position to lead with a strong West Virginia-first agenda, and I am confident that with our new leadership, we will bring monumental change to our citizens. I look forward to the work that each of these Senators will do during our upcoming Regular Session.”