Today Senate Minority Leader Vic Sprouse (R-Kanawha) announced he would not run for reelection as Minority Leader. Unfortunately there is a faction in the Republican caucus that does not appreciate the stands Sprouse has taken over the years against the Democrats. They want the Senate Republicans to be more conciliatory.

These Senators have forgotten Sprouse’s crowning moments as he filibustered the last night of the session to keep the legislature from passing a horrible worker’s compensation bill; or as he sued the Governor when Joe sought to shackle the legislature; or when he fought for Logan’s Law, a bill that would have protected children from sex predators. Some Republican Senators have been listening to the Democrats and a Minority Leader this successful has to go.

But the Democrats should not uncork the champaign yet. After December Sprouse will be unfettered by some of those he previously represented and they will get to know what he really thinks.

As Executive Assistant to the Senator for two years I have had the privilege to see what drives him. He simply wanted to do what is good for his Kanawha County constituents, for West Virginia, and for the cause of Republicans.

He was never afraid of a fight. I have had multiple lectures by high ranking, powerful officials who all but threatened to take my job away if I continued to write on this website during my free time. If it were not for Senator Sprouse, who told me to — well, I can’t repeat what he told me – but if it were not for him encouraging me to keep fighting, this site would have folded long time ago.

I know it may be hard for some who watch him in action to imagine, but Sprouse is one of the kindest men I know. For instance, one year an intern in our office remarked as the Senator rushed out of the office to a committee meeting that he was interested in working for the West Virginia Power over the summer. Sprouse immediately stopped, pulled out his cellphone and made a call to a Power official to see what the intern had to do to be considered. It’s not something that makes the front page or gets him political points, it’s just one of many kindnesses he shows.

Even now as those who should stand by him seek another leader, Sprouse holds no grudges. He shrugs it off as politics and maybe, just maybe, is relieved to be done with representing certain pacifists.

Sprouse’s term ends immediately after the vote in December. It will be a setback for all Republicans in West Virginia not because his replacement (whoever it will be) will be bad, but he was just that good.

While he will soon cease to be my Minority Leader he will continue to be my respected friend.