John Overington, Wise Conscience of West Virginia Conservatism, Dies at 79

We lost a giant of West Virginia conservatism on January 27, 2026. John Overington, the longest-serving member of the House of Delegates, devoted more than three decades to fighting for transparency, economic growth, and the freedoms that make our state great. For generations of conservatives, he was the wise conscience. He was steady, principled, and always thinking about the people he represented.

John brought a thoughtful, analytical approach to every issue. He championed recorded roll-call votes, right-to-work reforms, single-member districts, and even restoring the Pledge of Allegiance in schools. He believed, as he often said, that “the best health care program, the best welfare program, is a good-paying job.”

John never lost touch with the people he served. Constituents knew they could find him at McDonald’s or Burger King, listening, talking, and making sure their voices were heard. Even in his final public statement, he echoed Thomas Jefferson: “As government grows, freedom recedes.” That quote sums up the philosophy he carried through a lifetime of service.

John Overington retired in 2019, but his legacy, his wisdom, his integrity, and his unshakable commitment to conservative principles will guide West Virginia for decades to come. He truly was the wise conscience of the Republican Party and West Virginia conservatism. John was 79.