CHARLESTON — West Virginia Gov. Jim Justice announced Tuesday that state Sen. Mike Hall will be his new chief of staff.

Hall, R-Putnam, has served in the Legislature for more than 20 years, including the last 10 in the Senate. He most recently served as chairman of the Senate Finance Committee.

Hall will officially assume his new role on Monday.

The announcement came a day after Justice announced that former West Virginia Democratic Party Chairman Nick Casey was out as his chief of staff. On Aug. 3, Justice announced during a rally for President Donald Trump in Huntington that he was switching party affiliation from Democrat to Republican.

Justice said Tuesday “there is not a more respected man in the Legislature than Mike Hall.”

“Mike Hall has a reputation for being able to work with everybody,” Justice said. “He has an analytical mind and knows the ins and outs of the budget and budget process.”

Hall, of Winfield, was elected to represent West Virginia’s 4th Senatorial District in 2006. Prior to that, he served to six terms in the House of Delegates.

In addition to chairing the finance committee, Hall served as vice chair of the education, banking and insurance, pensions, and rules committees.

Hall said he’s honored to be selected and is eager to begin his new role.

“While it was an incredibly difficult decision for me to leave the Senate, I could not imagine a greater opportunity to use all I have learned during my time in the Legislature than this,” Hall said. “I am confident the governor is putting together the pieces he needs for a strong team that will continue to advance his vision and hopes for West Virginia.”

Senate President Mitch Carmichael, R-Jackson, praised Hall’s selection.

“I can truly think of no man who has more of a heart of a public servant than Sen. Mike Hall,” Carmichael said. “Gov. Justice’s choice sends a clear message to those who may have had doubts about the sincerity of his desire to return to the Republican Party. Senator Hall is a strong social conservative, and has a proven record of being a defender of life and freedom, which are two values West Virginians hold dear.”

Justice now will have to appoint a senator to replace Hall. The Republican Party Executive Committee will have 15 days following the vacancy to submit a list of three qualified candidates to Justice, who will have five days after receiving the list to make the appointment.