West Virginia Republican Party Executive Director Matt Dailer is taking a position with the Republican National Committee, according to a statement issued by the state GOP.
A Wheeling native and Marshall University graduate, Dailer has been with the West Virginia GOP since 2012 and led the party in its historic 2014 run to take control of the state Legislature, which had been under Democratic control since the 1930s.
"This is the type of opportunity that might only come around once in a lifetime and I'm very excited," Dailer said in the news release. "I've been part of something special in West Virginia and I know we've had a lasting impact. I'll be forever indebted to Chairman (Conrad) Lucas for the opportunity and will greatly miss our team.
"I look forward to watching Bill Cole (win) the governor's office while I hope to play a role in a Republican winning the White House. West Virginia will always be my home."
State Republican Chairman Conrad Lucas said in the statement that he couldn't be more proud of Dailer.
"One of our own has been called up to the majors and I couldn't be more proud of him," he said. "Matt is a dear friend and this is the type of opportunity that he deserves. The RNC took notice of the great things that happened last year in West Virginia and it is natural for them to tap a member of our team.
"West Virginia is a better place because of Matt Dailer and, while he will be missed, he's off to help us win the White House - and that's where he is most needed."
Sen. Shelley Moore Capito, R-W.Va., whose victory in taking the Senate seat previously held by Democratic Sen. Jay Rockefeller was part of the Republicans' historic takeover, said Dailer would be missed.
"Matt has been a tremendous asset to our State and our Party," Capito said in the statement. "He was a major factor in the Party's success over the last two election cycles. He will be missed and I wish him well."
In other news, the state Republican Party is asking those interested in filling the seat left vacant by former state Sen. David Nohe to express their interest no later than next week.
According to the state party, the District 3 Republican Committee must submit three names to Gov. Earl Ray Tomblin, who will ultimately make the decision for Nohe's replacement.
Those interested in the vacant seat must submit a resume and cover letter to the party by noon on Thursday, September 10. All documents should be sent to jason.huffman@wvgop.org, mailed to P.O. Box 2711, Charleston, WV 25305 or faxed to 304-768-6083.
The District 3 committee, which consists of one man and woman each from Pleasants, Roane, Wirt and Wood counties, will conduct interviews at the Dora B. Woodyard Memorial Library in Elizabeth on Sept. 11.
Those interested in the seat must meet all regular qualifications to serve in the state Senate, as outlined in the state Constitution. Potential replacements must also reside in either Wirt or Wood counties or the portion of the Senate district in Roane County.
Nohe, who first joined the Senate in 2010 and was re-elected to his post in 2014, resigned from his position on Aug. 30 and was subsequently appointed by the governor to the West Virginia Parole Board. He previously served as the mayor of Vienna from 1997 to 2012.
The replacement of Nohe will be the second vacancy filled in the Senate and the third in the Legislature this year.
Sen. Greg Boso, R-Nicholas County, was appointed to the chamber in January, following the resignation of former Sen. Clark Barnes, who resigned to become Senate clerk.
In April, Tomblin appointed Steven Shaffer to the House of Delegates, after longtime Democrat Delegate Larry Williams took a post with the state Department of Agriculture.
Reach Joel Ebert at 304-348-4843, joel.ebert@dailymailwv.com, or follow @joelebert29 on Twitter.