2024 West Virginia Primary: Nasty Campaign Focuses on LGBTQ+ Rights and Economy

The 2024 West Virginia primary election has been marked by intense focus on LGBTQ+ rights, with TV commercials and campaign ads highlighting the issue. Despite polling data showing that the economy and border security are top concerns for West Virginians, the candidates have honed in on transgender issues to appeal to conservative voters.

Political analysts believe that the emphasis on LGBTQ+ rights is an attempt to sway far-right individuals, who are passionate about such “lightning rod” issues. However, organizations like Fairness West Virginia are critical of this strategy, arguing that candidates should be addressing pressing issues facing the state instead of using divisive tactics.

Fairness West Virginia is particularly concerned about the impact on young people, as transgender students in middle and high school have high rates of depression and suicide. Despite the focus on transgender issues in the campaign, UCLA’s demographic study shows that fewer than 1% of West Virginians identify as transgender.

As the primary election results roll in, the debate over LGBTQ+ rights in West Virginia continues to be a central theme in the political landscape.