Weld Announces Candidacy for AG

State Senate Majority Whip Ryan Weld (R-Brooke) is seeking the Republican nomination for attorney general in the 2024 primary election.
His announcement Monday at Independence Hall in Wheeling came after current Attorney General Patrick Morrisey announced his candidacy for governor next year.
“Over the next 12 months, my team and I are going to make it clear that my experiences as an officer in the Air Force, as a prosecuting attorney and as a legislative leader all make me the most qualified candidate to be this state’s next Attorney General,” Weld said.
“We are running a campaign that is focused on getting the government out of people’s everyday lives, fighting the drug epidemic ravaging our communities, and protecting our citizens from fraud and abuse. We are putting the freedoms of West Virginians first in this campaign,” Weld said.
Weld’s platform for Attorney General will be based around three principles he discussed.
First, he promised to use the power of the office to fight back against federal overreach and excessive regulations.
Second, he wants to hold accountable those responsible for the opioid and drug crisis that has ravaged the state’s communities and devastated countless families across this state.
Third he promised to protect West Virginia’s consumers from fraud and safeguard senior citizens from abuse and neglect.
Weld’s commitment to public service began in 2005 when he commissioned into the Air Force Reserve. After spending several years on active duty with the U. S. intelligence community and a deployment in 2010-11 as the Staff Intelligence Officer to a joint Army-Air Force teach in the Zabul Province of southeastern Afghanistan.
Following his deployment, Weld returned home to Wellsburg where he met his wife, Alex. They married in 2015 and continue to live in Wellsburg.
“When I came home in 2011, I realized that most of the folks I grew up with had been forced to leave in order to find opportunities for themselves and their families. I knew then that I had to do everything I could to turn West Virginia into a place with opportunities for both those who stayed, and those who wanted to come back. That is what motivates me as an elected official,” Weld said.
Noting recent accomplishments and momentum in the state, Weld said he plans to fight for West Virginia’s continued growth so more West Virginians can continue to call this state home.
“We are growing into a place that is full of new opportunities and growing optimism – and we need an attorney general who understands this change and is ready to fight for this new West Virginia,” he said.
“I firmly believe that my experience has uniquely prepared me to lead the office that will help protect the future that is now within West Virginia’s reach.”
He also recognized the important progress made by Attorney General Morrisey, who has served in the role for the past 11 years.
“DC is clearly out of touch with the needs and worries of everyday West Virginians. I vow to continue the tremendous work started by Patrick Morrisey against Washington’s overreach and ensure that the progress we have made in the past few years isn’t stopped by bureaucrats and politicians who have never been here,” Weld said.
Weld is a 1998 graduate of Brooke High School and a 2003 graduate of Fairmont State University.
Weld obtained his law degree from the Thomas R. Kline School of Law of Duquesne University in 2015.
He was elected to the House of Delegates in 2014 to represent the 2nd House District. In 2016, he was elected to the State Senate representing the 1st Senatorial District and was re-elected in 2020.
In the Senate, Weld serves as the Majority Whip, chairman of the Military Committee, vice chairman of the Judiciary Committee, and member of several other Senate committees.
As the Majority Whip in the West Virginia State Senate, he manages legislative priorities and works to advance the state’s interests.
In addition, his extensive experience as chairman of the Military Committee and vice chairman of the Judiciary Committee reflects his exceptional ability to handle complex policy issues.
Ryan began his legal career as an assistant prosecutor at the Brooke County Prosecutor’s Office.
He currently practices law with the firm of Spilman Thomas & Battle in its Wheeling office.