Elliott Pritt

Elliott Pritt
Member of the West Virginia House of Delegates
from the 50th district
In office
December 1, 2022 – July 27, 2026
Preceded byNew boundaries
Succeeded byWilliam Vest
Personal details
BornDavid Elliott Pritt
(1990-03-23) March 23, 1990
Beckley, West Virginia, U.S.
PartyRepublican (from 2023)
Other political
affiliations
Democratic (until 2023)
SpouseAshton
Children4
EducationConcord University (BA, MA)
Military service
Branch/serviceUnited States Air Force
Years of service
2008–2014
RankStaff Sergeant
Unit353rd SOMXS, Kadena ABS, Japan, 58th AMXS, Albuquerque, New Mexico
CommandsAFSOC

David Elliott Pritt (born March 23, 1990) is an American politician who served in the West Virginia House of Delegates from 2022 to 2026. He represented the 50th district in Fayette County. Following allegations of raping a 15 year old girl and former student, and his subsequent arrest on charges of enticement of a minor, Pritt officially resigned from the West Virginia House of Delegates in a letter to House Speaker Roger Hanshaw on July 27, 2026.[1]

Personal life

Pritt was born in Beckley, West Virginia. He has a Bachelor of Arts degree in history, and a Master of Arts degree in teaching, both from Concord University. He is a Roman Catholic.[2] He has served in the United States Air Force, and teaches history at Fayetteville Middle School.[3]

Sexual abuse allegations

Pritt was arrested on July 22, 2026 and charged with enticing a minor after an investigation found that he communicated with a girl through Roblox and Snapchat. The complaint said that Pritt later initiated a physical relationship with the minor and requested that she meet him in his classroom at Oak Hill High School to engage in sexual activity at least five to ten times.[4][5]

Following his arrest, Pritt's teaching license was suspended[6] and the West Virginia Republican Party unanimously voted to disavow Pritt.[7]

Political career

Initially elected as a Democrat, he changed his party affiliation to Republican in 2023.[8] Since becoming a member of the House Republican Caucus in 2023, Pritt was named Assistant Majority Leader of the House Republican Caucus by Speaker Roger Hanshaw for the 87th West Virginia Legislature in 2025. He served under Majority Leader Pat McGeehan.[9]

Pritt was re-elected to the West Virginia House of Delegates on November 5, 2024 with nearly 70% of the total vote in a three-way race. Pritt represented one-third of Fayette County, West Virginia in the West Virginia House of Delegates.[10]

Electoral history

West Virginia's 50th House of Delegates district, 2022[11]
Party Candidate Votes %
Democratic Elliott Pritt 1,892 51.8
Republican Austin Haynes (incumbent) 1,759 48.2
Total votes 3,651 100.0
Democratic win (new boundaries)
West Virginia's 50th House of Delegates district, 2024[12]
Party Candidate Votes %
Republican Elliott Pritt (incumbent) 3,928 66.42
Democratic Jerry L. Allen 1,587 26.83
Scotty Bowman 399 6.75
Total votes 5,914 100.0
Republican hold

References

  1. ↑ EDITOR, Charles Young (July 27, 2026). "Elliott Pritt resigns from West Virginia House of Delegates after federal charges". WV News. Retrieved July 27, 2026.
  2. ↑ "David Elliott Pritt". www.wvlegislature.gov. Retrieved July 31, 2023.
  3. ↑ "In their own words – Elliott Pritt, candidate for House District 50". Beckley Register-Herald. November 4, 2022. Retrieved July 31, 2023.
  4. ↑ "EWV GOP House member Elliott Pritt charged with enticing minor girl through Roblox, Snapchat". westvirginiawatch.com. Retrieved July 22, 2026.
  5. ↑ "West Virginia delegate charged in probe of sexual conduct with a minor". wchstv.com. Retrieved July 22, 2026.
  6. ↑ "WVDE suspends teacher's certification of W.Va. Delegate". WSAZ.
  7. ↑ Steelhammer, Rick (August 4, 2026). "Holstein reelected state GOP chairman; party disavows Pritt". The Herald-Dispatch. Retrieved August 4, 2026.
  8. ↑ Raby, John (April 17, 2023). "W.Va. State Lawmaker Elliott Pritt Switches From Dem To GOP". West Virginia Public Broadcasting. Retrieved July 31, 2023.
  9. ↑ "Press Release". www.wvlegislature.gov. Retrieved January 13, 2025.
  10. ↑ "Election Night Reporting". results.enr.clarityelections.com. Retrieved January 13, 2025.
  11. ↑ "Election Night Reporting". West Virginia Secretary of State. Retrieved March 18, 2023.
  12. ↑ "Election Night Reporting". West Virginia Secretary of State. Retrieved July 23, 2026.
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