West Virginia Attorney General Patrick Morrisey Wins GOP Primary for Governor
West Virginia Attorney General Patrick Morrisey emerged victorious in the GOP primary for governor of the Mountain State, beating out five other contenders in a race marked by anti-transgender rhetoric and denialism about Joe Biden’s victory in the 2020 presidential election. The state, once a Democratic stronghold, has shifted rightward in recent years, with Donald Trump winning by a significant margin in the last election.
Morrisey’s win sets up a showdown with Democratic candidate Steve Williams in November, with the future of LGBTQ+ rights in West Virginia hanging in the balance. During the GOP primary, candidates like Morrisey, Moore Capito, and Chris Miller ran ads criticizing their opponents for not taking stronger action against transgender rights.
Under outgoing Governor Jim Justice, the state has passed laws restricting transgender children’s participation in sports and limiting minors’ access to gender-affirming care. Despite efforts by Republicans to pass even more restrictive laws during the legislative session, most anti-LGBTQ+ bills failed to pass, signaling a potential shift in attitudes.
However, the anti-trans rhetoric in the GOP primary has raised concerns among LGBTQ+ advocates about the future of equality in the state. Republican candidates have also expressed doubts about the 2020 election results, with Morrisey citing “significant irregularities” and “very severe issues.”
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