Delegate Josh Holstein, R-Boone, reviews a West Virginia Blue Book in the House of Delegates chamber during a special legislative session on Sept. 30, 2024.
Delegate Josh Holstein, R-Boone, attends a West Virginia House of Delegates Energy and Public Works Committee meeting on Feb. 20, 2025.
PERRY BENNETT | WV Legislative Photography
Josh Holstein, a 23-year-old state delegate representing Boone County, is the new leader of the West Virginia Republican Party. Holstein was elected chairman during the summer meeting of the state executive committee in Morgantown on Saturday.
“It was an honor. It was obviously an honor,†Holstein told West Virginia Watch on Monday. “I’m still humbled, but we worked hard and we had a lot of great discussions.
“Folks, I think they see past age,†he said. “And they see willingness, drive and somebody that’s actually eager to make positive change. I’m very grateful to the members of the state executive committee for placing their trust in me.â€
Holstein said increasing communication is one of his first priorities as party chairman.
West Virginia Delegate Josh Holstein, R-Boone, age 23, has been named chairman of the state Republican Party.
PERRY BENNETT | WV Legislative Photography
“I think, as a party, that’s where we failed in recent years,†he said. “Realizing and recognizing that our audience is on several different social media platforms, and people obtain news in many different ways now. Meeting people where they are, essentially, is what we’ve got to do.â€
Holstein, of Ashford, is a graduate of Sherman High School and Marshall University, according to his biography from the West Virginia House of Delegates. He runs an advertising firm and has a license to substitute teach. He was first elected to the House in 2020.
He joins the Republican National Committee as the youngest of its 168 members across the country, the GOP said in the news release.
Holstein said the party will reach out to independent voters to let them know about changes to the Republican primary election next year. Beginning in 2026, the GOP primary will be open only to voters who are registered Republicans and will be closed to unaffiliated voters. The executive committee voted last year to close the primary as a way of encouraging voters to register as Republicans.
Delegate Josh Holstein, R-Boone, reviews a West Virginia Blue Book in the House of Delegates chamber during a special legislative session on Sept. 30, 2024.
PERRY BENNETT | WV Legislative Photography
Holstein said the party also would focus on county and municipal races, something that hasn’t been a major focus in recent years.
Republicans hold the majority in both bodies of the West Virginia Legislature, the Governor’s Office, the state’s congressional delegation and the presidency.
“We’re fairly dominant on the state and legislative level, obviously, but we still lack in municipal-level races and on the county level,†he said. “So, we’ll be focusing on that and working with our respective county chairs and senatorial district folks to accomplish those goals over the next few months.â€
Holstein takes the place of former GOP chairman Matt Herridge, who stepped down effective Saturday. Herridge was appointed West Virginia commerce secretary in January.
West Virginia Watch is part of States Newsroom, the nation’s largest state-focused nonprofit news organization.
