West Virginia legislature vacates newly elected lawmaker's seat after his arrest for terroristic threats against other lawmakers

[essentialsaltes]

Delegate-elect Joseph De Soto, who ran unopposed last year after winning the GOP primary for House District 91, stumbled into an explosive and snowballing controversy even before he was elected. DragLine, a local nonprofit journalism outfit affiliated with the West Virginia ACLU, published a bombshell series of allegations, including that De Soto was not licensed to practice medicine despite claiming to be a doctor on his campaign site, and that while he served in the military, the timeline of his service doesn't line up with some of the roles he claimed to have served.

Then, in December, multiple Republican state delegates questioned him behind closed doors about the truthfulness of his claimed military service and medical practice — which, according to West Virginia Watch, then allegedly led to an enraged De Soto making terroristic threats against GOP lawmakers Wayne Clark and Mike Hornby, and his subsequent arrest.

In one of the strangest twists in the saga, De Soto formally defected to the Democratic Party in December, after being elected as a Republican. Under West Virginia's procedures for filling a legislative vacancy, the Berkeley County Democratic Party may now get to nominate someone to serve out De Soto's term, even though Democrats didn't even run a candidate in this heavily Trump-supporting area last year.

 

[Zaha Torte]

Delegate-elect Joseph De Soto, who ran unopposed last year after winning the GOP primary for House District 91, stumbled into an explosive and snowballing controversy even before he was elected. DragLine, a local nonprofit journalism outfit affiliated with the West Virginia ACLU, published a bombshell series of allegations, including that De Soto was not licensed to practice medicine despite claiming to be a doctor on his campaign site, and that while he served in the military, the timeline of his service doesn't line up with some of the roles he claimed to have served.

Then, in December, multiple Republican state delegates questioned him behind closed doors about the truthfulness of his claimed military service and medical practice — which, according to West Virginia Watch, then allegedly led to an enraged De Soto making terroristic threats against GOP lawmakers Wayne Clark and Mike Hornby, and his subsequent arrest.

In one of the strangest twists in the saga, De Soto formally defected to the Democratic Party in December, after being elected as a Republican. Under West Virginia's procedures for filling a legislative vacancy, the Berkeley County Democratic Party may now get to nominate someone to serve out De Soto's term, even though Democrats didn't even run a candidate in this heavily Trump-supporting area last year.

That is the craziest story ever!

Good job to the Reps sniffing out the Dem in their midst.

Can the Dems nominate someone to fill his seat in spite of the fact that he ran as and won as a Rep?

That doesn't sound right to me.

 

[RocksInMyHead]

That is the craziest story ever!

Good job to the Reps sniffing out the Dem in their midst.

It sounds like investigative reporters did the sniffing. And if you think that his party switch was anything other than an attempt to spite his fellow Republicans and/or discourage them from booting him after they started questioning his background, I've got a bridge to sell you.

Can the Dems nominate someone to fill his seat in spite of the fact that he ran as and won as a Rep?

That doesn't sound right to me.

Does seem kinda silly, but that's how the law works there.

 

[RileyG]

Too bad, so sad.

 

[Zaha Torte]

It sounds like investigative reporters did the sniffing.

Allegations are only that until someone acts and uncovers the truth - but I will acknowledge their contribution.

And if you think that his party switch was anything other than an attempt to spite his fellow Republicans and/or discourage them from booting him after they started questioning his background, I've got a bridge to sell you.

I don't know - considering Time Walz - the Dems like and support those that lie about their military service.

Does seem kinda silly, but that's how the law works there.

Weird - it's like they are begging for a "Manchurian Candidate" situation.

 

[RocksInMyHead]

Allegations are only that until someone acts and uncovers the truth - but I will acknowledge their contribution.

You can read the article for yourself - the journalists uncovered plenty of truth. The legislature just questioned him about those truths.

The Fantastic Life of Dr. Joseph De Soto: False Claims Made by the Presumptive Delegate from West Virginia’s 91st District — Dragline

From claims about providing health care in West Virginia to saying he’s “negotiated with ISIS” on behalf of US intelligence, De Soto appears to have campaigned on a largely fabricated picture of his life. Now, he’s running unopposed for the House of Delegates with the backing of the West Virginia

www.dragline.org

I don't know - considering Time Walz - the Dems like and support those that lie about their military service.

Lying about military service is what makes a Democrat? That's a new one.

Weird - it's like they are begging for a "Manchurian Candidate" situation.

Realistically, what would that accomplish? The WV House of Delegates has 100 seats - currently, 89 of those are occupied by Republicans and 11 by Democrats. One switching isn't going to make a difference either way. Their state Senate has 34 seats; 31 of those seats are held by Republicans, and only 3 by Democrats. Again, not going to change anything if one switches.

It falls on the state party apparatus to vet candidates and make sure they are who they say they are - something that, evidently, was not done in the case of DeSoto.

 

[Zaha Torte]

You can read the article for yourself - the journalists uncovered plenty of truth. The legislature just questioned him about those truths.

What was shared said "allegations" - and II have already given them their credit - what more do you want from me?

Lying about military service is what makes a Democrat? That's a new one.

I did not say that. I said that the Dems like and will support those who lie about their military service.

Realistically, what would that accomplish? The WV House of Delegates has 100 seats - currently, 89 of those are occupied by Republicans and 11 by Democrats. One switching isn't going to make a difference either way. Their state Senate has 34 seats; 31 of those seats are held by Republicans, and only 3 by Democrats. Again, not going to change anything if one switches.

Today.

It falls on the state party apparatus to vet candidates and make sure they are who they say they are - something that, evidently, was not done in the case of DeSoto.

I agree.