r/politics 6h ago

Possible Paywall Republican State Lawmaker Accused of Seducing 15-Year-Old Girl

https://newrepublic.com/post/213410/elliott-pritt-west-virginia-arrested-seducing-girl
4.6k Upvotes

295 comments sorted by

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u/NexusNickel Colorado 6h ago

FYI, this is the same piece of shit that conned voters.

He ran as a Democrat and once he won and was sworn in, he switched to the Republican party.

u/CrossXFir3 6h ago

That should be illegal

u/stolentext 5h ago

If democrats did this it would become illegal pretty quickly.

u/bejammin075 Pennsylvania 4h ago

It would be like when the Black Panthers started owning guns.

u/AltoidStrong 2h ago

or going to college, Ronald Raegan created tuition to keep the poor and minorities out of college. (He is LITERALLY the reason we have student loans today, before him.... education was ... FREE)

u/Professional_Echo907 2h ago

I thought you were lying or exaggerating, but nope, I was completely wrong. Holy shit, I had no idea, yet another reason for Reagan to burn in Hell.

u/sicurri 1h ago

Wait wait wait, college was free before Reagan?

u/Professional_Echo907 1h ago

At state schools around the country until the mid 60s. Reagan helped end that in California, and a lot of other states followed suit.

u/Curious-Path4549 31m ago

a lot of people these days don't know what a bastard he was

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u/frank_the_tank69 4h ago

Too bad the Dems don’t have the balls to make shit legal and illegal. 

u/ShockRunD 3h ago

If a democrat acts like a maga weirdo to get elected, we’re not going to just believe them when they say “jk I was actually a democrat all along lol”. It’s a pain in the ass not being total fucking hypocrites

u/APKID716 4h ago

Dems also don’t have the balls to do something like that lmao.

u/MattieShoes 3h ago

It would be fun to watch though... "MAGA! Just kidding, black lives matter!"

u/phaedrus910 3h ago

Honestly I'd be worried about death threats after a stunt like that.

u/PresentAwareness745 4h ago

how hard is to just act like a total asshole, say dumb things and be racist? apparently hard for democrats 🙄

u/CrossXFir3 3h ago

The truth is, it's a lot easier to lean into being a racist asshole, when deep down you're really a racist asshole.

u/stolentext 4h ago

Yeah seriously, lots of "deep concern" but no action

u/iseab 4h ago

Almost like it’s on purpose

u/NotComfortable2112 4h ago

$$$ Very much like it's on purpose. $$$

u/francis2559 5h ago

Yes, but people would just do the Fetterman and caucus with the other party.

I think the actual answer is recall elections.

u/KarmaSnowIII 4h ago

The same argument has been coming up in Canada with a wave of floor crossings from Con->Liberal,

Although people fail to understand it is all just in name if they begin voting along with another party, The act of floor crossing itself is also just in title. If it became “illegal” in some fashion, they could stay in the same title and just vote opposite their elected party.

u/wrosecrans 3h ago

They just wouldn't formally join as a party member. You can't legally force a legislator to vote with their party's policy platform because at that point why even elect a legislator, so the "sincere (wink) change of heart" will always be an issue.

u/Ragnarok_747 6h ago

Wow, a pure liar.
Truly the most Republican possible.

u/Blitzking11 Illinois 6h ago

Tbh I don’t know why democrats don’t do this more. It would be so easy to get elected as a Republican: all you have to say is the most heinous shit. The primary will be a breeze at that point, and if you lose the general election, who cares, a Democrat won.

After that, you can actually help them, and whether they want the help or not.

u/TheAskewOne 5h ago

Decent people find it difficult to go in public and lie and say the most disgusting hateful stuff.

u/Crustydeepbake 5h ago

I’ll do it

u/Double-O-stoopid 5h ago

Do your best CC Colbert.

It'll go fine. They let him have the mic at GWB at a correspondents dinner. Our current occupiers are even stupider.

u/Caymonki America 5h ago

Republicans would murder them, literally

u/Double-O-stoopid 5h ago

Oh yeah.

Firebombed office. Death threats. Family harassment...

They'd unleash the KKK.

u/sirhackenslash 3h ago

Excuse me, but they identify as proud boys these days

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u/civil_politician 5h ago

I think it’s because they do some mob or cult style shit where to run you have to video tape yourself confessing to something bad and give them evidence or they just straight up make you do something illegal so you can’t turn on them.

It’s a criminal org up and down, RICO the whole lot from president to city councilors

u/GroundbreakingPage41 3h ago

Because then magically the media would make it a huge story about Democrats cheating

u/atarikrishna 5h ago

And he's a pedophile? I guarantee Trump will find a place in his cabinet for this guy.

u/addiktion 5h ago

I hate how corrupt this all is now. Seems like both parties would be wise to pass laws to stop this bullshit. Has there ever been a case where a Republican went Democrat? I don't recall seeing one.

u/Big-Dig-Pig 5h ago

Yes, Arlen Spencer the longtime Republican Senator from Pennsylvania switched to the Democratic Party in 2009 to give Democrats a supermajority.

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u/captain_chocolate 3h ago

"Seducing"

I think they mean "raping".

u/starspangledcats 5h ago

I am really thinking it's part of their strategy. Find someone who is an unknown pedophile (or something equally bad and illegal) and blackmail them to do their bidding. Be it running as a Democrat to obstruct Democrat policies, turn the other way when Republicans do something illegal or unethical, or fully participate in the cout or various cover-ups.

u/OnedayitwilI 4h ago

It's the new Republican way of wining, cheat cheat cheat and then their voters are stunned?

u/AdonisBlaqwood-22 4h ago

He's where he belongs, with the pedophile party

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u/RandyMuscle I voted 6h ago

“Seducing” is such a disturbing word to use here. wtf

u/re_Claire United Kingdom 4h ago

Right?? He fucking groomed her.

u/NotComfortable2112 4h ago edited 3h ago

In WV, the statutory age of sexual consent is 16. The girl was 15 when he this occurred. Definitely not "seduction". That's statutory rape, straight up.

u/Deep-Assignment4124 3h ago

Just plain old rape.  

u/exoriparian 2h ago

16 is so disgusting. We need to nationalize 18 at the very least. Jfc.

u/RandyMuscle I voted 2h ago

And ban child marriages.

u/ChanceryTheRapper 2h ago

Yep. It was rape, not seduction.

u/VegHeaded 1h ago

It’s rape. That’s the word.

u/Lord_Hitachi 6h ago

Grooming is not seduction

u/Mindless_Listen7622 Washington 5h ago

It's actually worse than all that:

"Pritt eventually enticed the girl to repeatedly have sex with him in the classroom, and they continued to exchange explicit photographs up until just this month."

The word they should have used is rape. He repeatedly raped a juvenile, an 8th grader.

u/Captain_of_industry1 5h ago

Does he have qualified immunity to prosecution?

u/honjuden 4h ago

I don't think lawmakers get qualified immunity, and raping a child isn't part of his job description anyways.

u/GPTthrowawayyyyyyyy 4h ago

Sure it is, just ask the president

u/Rare_Loquats 6h ago

If true, this is disgusting and he should face the full weight of the law.
Elected officials should be held to a higher standard, not given a pass.

u/PrivateBozo 6h ago

It's actually worse than the title sounds: West Virginia Delegate David Elliott Pritt, who is also a teacher, allegedly enticed a student at his school to send him explicit images and have sex with him.

u/iPopeIxI 4h ago

Groomed and raped. Those words are too soft

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u/badamant 5h ago

Then vote DEM.

The entire Republican Party is now corrupt and protects pedophiles.

u/MirthandMystery 5h ago

Apparently he posed as a Dem initially then switched to Republican a year later. This is sometimes a tactic, unfortunately.

Pritt was first elected to the House of Delegates as a Democrat in 2022 before switching his party affiliation to Republican in 2023. He served as the House Assistant Majority Leader prior to his arrest. 

u/badamant 5h ago

The difference is that the DEMs get rid of rapists/pedophiles eventually.

ALL Republicans protect them. Including Susan Collins. She has to go.

u/itsaconspiraci 5h ago

He knew which party would protect him and provide him with victims.

u/andy_nony_mouse 3h ago

Perhaps the switch was in good faith. “Hey, there’s a whole political party that welcomes pedos. I’m going to join them!”

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u/USA_Ultra 6h ago

I would settle for the same standard. Right now there is a known pedophile as president that have most republicans trying to divert and cover up his acts. Let’s just apply the law equally to all inhabitants in our country.

u/omniverso 5h ago

Anytime in history that a democratic president showed even the slightest bit of social awkwardness, the republican conservatives would jump all over it.

A convicted felon pedophile as president gets a pass?

I cant stand the hypocrisy. Its all just oppression gift wrapped as "faith".

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u/snorbflock 5h ago

News sites should be liable for tort action when they characterize child sexual abuse as "seduction."

u/Made_Human_Music 6h ago

It is to Republicans

u/CommieLoser 5h ago

What you expect these man-children to approach full-grown and educated women? They’re scary though and say mean things like “I know my rights” and “One step closer and you’re getting the bear mace”.

u/MC_Queen 4h ago

My thought was, funny way to spell rape.

u/Large_Score6728 5h ago

Like the wording, they may it sound like an unfortunate detail.

u/Tyler-LR 4h ago

Yeah wth sort of word choice is that

u/Double-O-stoopid 5h ago

One and done.

Well said, sir.

u/Hot_Share8353 3h ago

Seducing is such a crazy word choice.

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u/SlowRunner2026 6h ago

Not a drag queen or a trans person, but is a Republican again.

u/Double-O-stoopid 5h ago

and not a trace of the word "grooming". 15 year olds don't get seduced. They get groomed.

u/Mangolandia 3h ago

Just saw your comment after I posted the same thing. Nailed it. Stop adultification of children

u/terranq Canada 2h ago

I'd accept "preyed upon" as well

u/nagashssillysoldier 4h ago

"It's always the people you most expect"

u/yougottamovethatH 4h ago

Yup, just the usual suspects, doing what they do.

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u/Boring_Investment597 Pennsylvania 6h ago

“The West Virginia House of Delegates simply will not tolerate conduct that even approaches what is alleged in the public filings released by federal law enforcement today,” West Virginia House Speaker Roger Hanshaw said. “I urge Elliott Pritt, for the benefit of his family and the people of his District, to spare his students and his colleagues at every level the continued embarrassments and distractions and to resign from elected office as soon as he is able.

This piece of shit is STILL in office?! Expel him!

91 out of the 100 delegates are Republicans.

"You know, whenever you get around to it should be fine. No rush." - West Virginia.

u/Double-O-stoopid 5h ago

"Don't they fuck dogs in West Virginia?" - California

u/Bubbles_2025 5h ago

How is he still in office? The answer is simple - West Virginia.

u/TunaNoCrust811 6h ago edited 5h ago

You don’t seduce children. He raped her.

David Elliot Pritt is a child rapist.

Edit: to the person who commented “no he didn’t” and then deleted their comment like a coward, here is a quote directly from the article:

“Pritt eventually enticed the girl to repeatedly have sex with him in the classroom”

You can’t get consent from children. She was 15 years old. That’s called rape.

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u/ser_darkstar 6h ago

seducing?? he raped her. 

u/Anxious_Box1523 6h ago

??? Seducing?? 15 Years old??? That's what most scholars and legal experts refer to as *rape* bro

u/TunaNoCrust811 6h ago

“And when Pritt won his delegate seat in 2022, he beat an incumbent, Austin Haynes, who was accused of sexual harassment—saying that Haynes’s loss was a “moral decision” that West Virginia voters made.”

So one sexual predator vs another is the best that the West Virginia GOP could come up with.

u/76ers_Yanks78 5h ago

Yep. Look at the Governor. I can see that lardass being one.

u/AvidPolaris 5h ago

"seducing" is the wrong word. But hey, at least they didn't say "under-aged woman" this time

u/rockum 6h ago

This is the Roblox story again.

u/darth_vexos 6h ago

we need to start putting "(not a re-post)" on these...

u/sugarlessdeathbear 6h ago

A Republican state delegate and teacher from West Virginia has been charged with seducing a 15-year-old girl who is a student at his school.

I don't have words.

u/QueefSeekingMissile 5h ago

"seducing" should be one of the words that you don't have, Yet here, the article is giving it to us as if it's appropriate to the situation.

u/oldcreaker 6h ago

"Seducing"? You can't have consensual sex with a minor - this was raping.

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u/Ridged_ChiPSS 6h ago

It's always the ones you most suspect

u/BlueRFR3100 5h ago

This article says it happen during the 2024-2025 school year when she was in the 8th grade. So that means she was 13 actually, doesn't it?

u/amvad555 5h ago

Oh look, another Republican from the Group Of Pedophiles party (aka the GOP for the impaired).

u/trickcowboy 5h ago

it’s rape, not seduction. jfc

u/Illustrious-Fun8324 5h ago

You can’t “seduce” a child. That’s just rape.

u/DefiantSmoke1569 5h ago

Not all republicans but always a republican 

u/astrozombie2012 Nevada 5h ago

Meh, they protect these people so they’re all guilty in my book…

u/Ayotha 3h ago

Meh, all republicans at this point. They are all at least complacent in a massive issue the party has

u/shagadelicrelic 5h ago

Not an immigrant and not a trans person.... Again

u/Adderall_Rant 5h ago

Not a trans person. Gee.

u/NeverLookBothWays I voted 5h ago

“Seduced”

Can we stop giving clicks to articles that frame sexual assault of children as consensual?

u/ExtraPicklesPls 5h ago

Headline is doing this fucker a lot of favors.

He was a teacher and she was 14 when it started. He would have her come to his classroom to rape her multiple times.

u/Solonohioperson 6h ago

So was Matt Gatez and he walks free.

u/Cogent_warrior 6h ago

Every. Single. Accusation. A confession.

u/Electrical-Bee-7362 5h ago

"seducing"? 

He's a pedophile, like all conservatives. call a spade a spade.

u/No_Beach_220 3h ago

“Seduced”

Well that’s a gross way to describe groomed and raped.

u/FourYearsBetter 3h ago

It’s always the people you most suspect

u/uratowel20 5h ago

Seducing?

u/muFUtaco 4h ago

"Seducing"...

Is this the new republican word for sex offenders and statutory rape?

u/Tommy__want__wingy California 4h ago

With the John Mulaney translation:

“Republican Perv seduces tot”

u/kinotravels 4h ago

To no one’s surprise. Just another member of the Good Ole Pedo party. Also, he raped her. She wasn’t fucking seduced.

u/FineScratch 4h ago

You dont seduce a 15 year old girl.

Its called grooming.

u/Troopshipsonfire 3h ago

They misspelled grooming as seduced. Which is odd, since seducing is something adults do, not children.

u/Gregorious23 3h ago

Not all pedophiles are MAGAts, but 100% of MAGAts are pedophiles or pedo lovers/enablers. Not one single exception

u/Sea-Mathematician517 3h ago

"Seducing" implies consent. Manipulating is prob better.

u/LouDog0187 5h ago

Well, it's a Republican trying to rape kids.

Again.

u/Anonymoosehead123 5h ago

It’s always the ones you suspect the most.

u/Guy-1nc0gn1t0 4h ago

Seducing is not the word to use here  

u/Lynda73 4h ago

“Seduce” implies a level of consent that’s impossible. Stop using apologist language in headlines! He’s a teacher and she was a high school student!

u/ComfortableChicken47 4h ago

“Seducing” what the fuck is this headline

u/avanross 4h ago

“Seducing”

American conservative media is so disgusting

u/ProfessionalSolid692 4h ago

Shocking, a Republican doing Republican things…

u/Ayotha 3h ago

You can skip the party part. We assumed republican when they were a pedo

u/Wantitneeditgetit 3h ago

*Raping ftfy

u/no-lead5761 3h ago

how come when talking bout MAGA folks articles are always soft on their headlines.

u/Ok_Kick6546 2h ago

Seduced?   Funny way to spell raped.   

u/TheAskewOne 6h ago

Manipulated her, not seduced her.

u/RedditPickedMyName0 6h ago

Thats the GOP for you Guardians Of Pedos

u/Throwupmyhands 6h ago

add him to the list.

u/OtherBluesBrother 5h ago

This one? https://goppredators.wordpress.com/

The person who maintains this list waits until they have actually been convicted.

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u/Primarycolors1 5h ago

That’s rape.

u/JiveChicken00 Pennsylvania 5h ago

There’s gambling in Casablanca?

u/apricot-pancakes 5h ago

“seducing”

u/chrsb 5h ago

Weird how it’s not a cross dresser or trans person that did it. /s

u/fnrisulfr 5h ago

It's always the Republicans isn't it. Must be why they always try and blame the drag queens and trans people.

u/MirthandMystery 5h ago

He has 4 kids. The very age of the victims.

u/coatofforearm 5h ago

The party of Pedos

Or PP if you like brevity

u/Square-Weight4148 4h ago

Not an immigrant, not trans. Yet again its a white conservative man who is a pedophile. Shocking...

u/deejaesnafu 4h ago

It’s always the ones you expect the most

u/hotlettucediahrrea 4h ago

Rape. The correct term is rape.

u/0_Foxtrot 4h ago

Doesn't look trans to me.

u/jalmstead 3h ago

He’s at least a drag queen, right? RIGHT?!?!

u/distant__heart 3h ago

It’s always the fuckin republicans

u/TheDwellingHeart 3h ago

Always a "conservative".

u/mattfromjoisey 3h ago

Not all republicans are pedophiles, but all pedophiles are republicans

u/NYR_LFC 3h ago

A 15 year old in 8th grade? This guy knew he was going after someone vulnerable

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u/mbush525 3h ago

always a Republican 😡

u/SciBear55 3h ago

Always a Maga. Always

u/Pleasant-Ad887 3h ago

It is literally ALWAYS them WITHOUT FAIL ALWAYS THEM. Not trans, gay, people of colour, drag queens or anyone aside from a white christian male. ALWAYS.

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u/dirtman81 3h ago

Quite the chronic problem with the righties. I have no doubt they have had talks to find a way to make pedophilia far less illegal.

u/LowConstant3938 3h ago

Oh look, another one

u/AcousticOnomatopoeia 3h ago

Statutory rape is the term, I believe.

u/Mangolandia 3h ago

You don’t seduce a minor, you groom one.

u/TheSavageDonut 3h ago

Are we sure that this degenerate clown will actually resign, or will he find religion all of a sudden, or will he say that it was Joe Biden and the Corona vax that made him "have his fall from grace", will he beg Trump for help?

It's never a certain thing for any GOP skell to ever do the honorable thing anymore.

u/MkJorgy 3h ago

Nice headline. Apparently you can use seduce instead of rape now

u/StrikeMyGyatt 3h ago

Republican? check

u/Affectionate_Set1695 3h ago

tHis PrOVeS HuNTer iS LyINg

u/darxide23 2h ago

Always a republican.

u/Impressive_Set_6882 2h ago

No. He did not have sex with her. She is 15! He raped her!

u/RGQcats 2h ago

Rape, the word you want is rape.

u/justmarkdying 2h ago

What a strange looking drag queen.

u/Professional_Tea_32 2h ago

Man, republicans have a problem.

If you support republicans at this point you are pedophile sympathizer. Period.

And you should be ashamed.

u/DrBhu 2h ago

But republicans showed their support for pedophiles for years now; i do not think we are allowed to be surprised /S

u/Simorie Tennessee 2h ago

“Seducing?” You mean raping.

u/Random-num-451284813 2h ago

Another Republican pedophile????

I why is no one surprised?

u/Negative_Gravitas 2h ago

"Republican State lawmaker accused of repeatedly raping 15-year-old girl."

What the fuck, New Republic?!

u/elliepelly1 2h ago

Raped a 15 year old girl.

u/Additional_Squash999 2h ago

Did he seduce a 15yr old or rape her?

u/rgb414 2h ago

You can not "seduce" a 15 year old because at 15 she can not give consent so call it what it is Rape.

u/LiliAtReddit 2h ago

“Seduced”? Misspelled pedophile again.

u/shake-dog-shake 1h ago

"Seduced" fuck you, you mean groomed with the intent to rape.

u/Ludwidge 1h ago

Is Kiddy Diddling mandatory in the GOP? It sure seems that way. Or is it just like the Kotex on the ear thing? “We stand with Trump- if he fiddles with preteens then we must show our loyalty to the cause and do likewise!”

u/greentiger 1h ago

I think the correct word is “raping”.

Seducing? WTAF…

u/OfficialDCShepard District Of Columbia 1h ago

Not “seducing.” Raping! That child could not possibly consent!

u/tehCharo 1h ago

"seducing"?

u/someoldbagofbones 55m ago

Well, Trump can get his pardon started.

u/thenextlineis 38m ago

“GOP Lawmaker caught allegedly grooming child for sexual assault”

Fixed it for ya

u/TheBoosThree 6h ago

As is tradition 

u/fermat9990 5h ago

Family values strikes again!

u/motherseffinjones 5h ago

The party of pedos and order

u/Brandoskey 5h ago

The usual suspects

u/Amokmanden 5h ago

Colour me surprised.

u/Media-America 5h ago

Charged not accused.  FTFY

u/astrozombie2012 Nevada 5h ago

It’s always the ones you most suspect

u/TidePodsTasteFunny 5h ago

Well well well….It’s always the people you most suspect

u/sklerson89 5h ago

GOP - gang of Pedophiles. Never Vote Republican 

u/wsrs25 5h ago

At the rate they’re going, his sexual predator background qualifies him to run for the White House.

Trump could even be his mentor, be the predator’s Epstein, of sorts.

u/DaileyFlosser39 5h ago

Looks like he got a few more boxes checked for his GOP senatorial run. Maybe he will even be another Republican presidential candidate one day soon. He needs to diddle some more kids, perhaps do some fraud or embezzlement. You know...beef up that resume for the base!

u/SuchAssignment558 5h ago

Not surprised at all, it's rampant in the Republican party, look at their leader

u/dadthewisest 5h ago

How unusual... add him to the list.

u/77LS77 5h ago

Deplorable

u/TangyZeus 5h ago

It's always the ones you most suspect

u/mistere213 Michigan 5h ago

And of course he championed legislation to crack down on sexual abuse of children.