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Charleston, WV - WVGOP Chairman Matt Herridge delivered a staffing update on Friday.
“The West Virginia Republican Party has been blessed by a stellar team of leaders and staff members who helped guide our party through unprecedented times and deliver the historic victories we experienced in November. Without the excellent work of our entire team, the West Virginia Republican Party would not be where it is today,” said Chairman Herridge.
Earlier this year, West Virginia Republican Party Executive Director Kyle Saunders announced his resignation to party officials and stakeholders. Kyle then served as Senior Advisor for the West Virginia Department of Commerce during the legislative session and department reorganization efforts, and now Mr. Saunders has joined the Republican National Committee (RNC) as the Deputy Finance Director for State Party Strategies.
“I began my Chairmanship on the heels of Chairwoman McArdle’s departure, and I now have a clearer perspective on how fortunate I was to inherit the party and team she helped cultivate. The leadership team of Tony Hodge, Kris Raynes, Michele Davis, Beth Bloch, and Larry Pack have been immeasurable assets to our party and its success — and no measure of success could be complete without acknowledging Kyle’s unparalleled service and dedication as Executive Director. Kyle’s expertise, professionalism, and hard work are evidenced by all he does, and his impact on our state and party are difficult to overstate,” Herridge continued.
“I deeply appreciate the trust placed in me by former Chairwoman McArdle and Chairman Herridge to help lead our party since 2023, and I will forever be grateful for the hard work and friendship of our party leaders, elected officials, and grassroots supporters. Without their tireless efforts, the success of our party and state would simply not be possible. As I relinquish this role, I am comforted knowing even greater achievements are on the horizon, thanks to the service of our countless leaders, activists, and my successor,” said Saunders. “Moving forward, I am eager to do all I can to support in furthering the success of our state and party.”
The search to replace Saunders was extensive and thorough, and as a result, Chairman Herridge has announced Ryan Jacinto as the next Executive Director of the West Virginia Republican Party. Ryan is a West Virginia native and studied at West Virginia University Institute of Technology, where he served as the President of the College Republicans. Mr. Jacinto has notable campaign experience, having worked and volunteered for the WVGOP and many campaigns since 2018, and he was elected last year to serve as an Alternate Delegate to the 2024 Republican National Convention. Outside of his political endeavors, Ryan has longstanding work history with Chick-fil-A, where he was recently the Managing Partner of Chick-fil-A in Beckley until 2024, when he left to complete his MBA. “Ryan will be an incredible asset to the WVGOP, and I am confident his political acumen and managerial experience will serve our party well,” said Chairman Herridge.
“I am very grateful to Chairman Herridge and the entire party leadership team for affording me the opportunity to serve in this important capacity,” Ryan stated. “There is clearly a serious and enduring culture of winning at the WVGOP, and I look forward to doing all I can to ensure we continue achieving these victories in 2026 and beyond, while also strengthening an effective, durable, and innovative state party.”