Speaker Armstead Leaving the House, Considering W.Va. Supreme Court Bid

West Virginia House Speaker Tim Armstead announced he will step down from his work in the Legislature in 2019 and could be looking to sit on the West Virginia Supreme Court.

In a statement from the West Virginia Republican Party, chairwoman Melody Potter said Armstead has been a leader for the Republican party as both the speaker of the House and as the former-minority leader.

Armstead took on his post as Speaker in 2015. He was chosen by the chamber to fill that role after the West Virginia Legislature switched to a Republican majority – the first in more than 80 years.

According to his biography on the Legislature’s website, Armstead was first appointed in 1998 to fill a vacant seat following the death of Delegate Dick Henderson.

He went on to be minority leader for four years leading up to his move to speaker.

Outside the state Legislature, Armstead is an attorney and received his law degree from West Virginia University College of Law.

He said in an interview with reporters, he might be looking to the state Supreme Court next.

“I’ve always had an interest, and as an attorney, I think I could contribute to a sound court,” Armstead said, “but again, I’ve not decided that I’m absolutely going to pursue that, but it’s high on the radar screen at this point.”

Armstead is married with one daughter. He is a resident of Elkview in Kanawha County.