State Attorney General Patrick Morrisey emerged victorious in a tightly contested four-way race to succeed term-limited Gov. Jim Justice, who is bound for the U.S. Senate, in West Virginia’s May 14 primary.
Morrisey, a three-term State Attorney General, secured 33 percent of the vote with 70,294 votes, surpassing his Republican competitors in a race that saw over $11 million spent on campaigns. Former state Del. Moore Capito, Chris Miller, and Mac Warner also vied for the governorship but fell short in the primary.
Morrisey is now poised to face three-term Huntington Mayor Steve Williams, the uncontested Democratic nominee, in the November election, where he is considered the frontrunner in the deeply conservative state.
Known for challenging environmental regulations under the Obama and Biden administrations, Morrisey’s victory signals a shift towards a more conservative leadership in West Virginia. With endorsements from prominent figures like Donald Trump Jr., Morrisey’s campaign raised significant funds and garnered widespread support.
The gubernatorial race in West Virginia is part of a larger trend in the 2024 election cycle, with several governorships up for grabs. As Morrisey prepares to transition into the executive role, the state anticipates a continuation of conservative policies under his leadership.
