WHEELING, W.Va. — Former West Virginia Republican Party Chair Elgine McArdle has withdrawn from the race for delegate in the 5th District, citing a desire for party unity and throwing her support to Riley Watkins.
The announcement comes weeks after McArdle, 61, a Wheeling attorney, was arrested in December 2025 on witness intimidation charges connected to her defense of an alleged motorcycle gang leader.
McArdle is accused of witness intimidation while representing Ryan Lane, the alleged president of a Pagans Motorcycle Club chapter.
McArdle was arrested in Dec. following court proceedings in the case. The Pagans Motorcycle Club is classified as an outlaw motorcycle gang with chapters throughout the United States.
In January 2026, Marion County Circuit Judge Patrick Wilson sentenced Ryan Lane to five years of probation and a $10,000 fine plus court costs. Lane pleaded guilty to organized criminal enterprise as part of a plea deal reached three months earlier in the 2022 murder case of Henry Silver.
Under the agreement, prosecutors dropped charges of first-degree murder and conspiracy to commit a felony.
Marion County Assistant Prosecutor Sean Murphy and Defense Attorney Elgine McArdle each filed motions seeking the other’s removal from the case. The judge ruled both motions moot since only sentencing remained pending against Lane.
McArdle previously served as chair of the West Virginia Republican Party before launching her legislative bid.
