Party Switch Give GOP Majority

Democratic state Sen. Daniel Hall says he is switching parties and becoming a Republican, a flip that would give the GOP a majority in the West Virginia Senate.

West Virginia voters on Tuesday left the Senate deadlocked between the two parties. Hall's switch would break the Senate tie.

The Wyoming County lawmaker confirmed his decision with The Associated Press on Wednesday evening.

Republicans have ended more than eight decades where only Democrats held majorities in the House and Senate. Tuesday's election will give Republicans almost a 30-seat House majority. Democrats had a six-seat edge entering election night.

The GOP also knocked off six senators, winning seven seats altogether. With Hall, the Republican Senate majority will be 18-16.