West Virginia Voters Choose Nominees in Primaries for Governor and U.S. Senate

West Virginia voters have spoken in the primaries, selecting their nominees for key positions such as governor and a U.S. Senate seat. The Republican nomination for governor went to Attorney General Patrick Morrisey, who ran a campaign focused on national culture war issues. Morrisey, a strong supporter of Donald Trump, will face Democrat Steve Williams, the mayor of Huntington, in the upcoming general election.

On the other side, Governor Jim Justice secured the GOP nomination for the U.S. Senate seat, aiming to replace retiring Senator Joe Manchin. Justice, a prominent figure in West Virginia politics, was endorsed by Trump and is known for his conservative policies such as income tax cuts and a near-total ban on abortion. He will likely face Democrat Glenn Elliott, the mayor of Wheeling, in the general election.

In the Republican primary for a U.S. House seat, incumbent Carol Miller defeated Derrick Evans, who served time in prison for his involvement in the storming of the U.S. Capitol on January 6, 2021. Morrisey, Justice, and other candidates in the GOP primary emphasized their support for the state’s coal industry and opposition to transgender rights during the campaign.

Despite facing contenders with deeper ties to the state’s political establishment, Morrisey emerged victorious in the gubernatorial race. The primary campaign highlighted the candidates’ conservative credentials and loyalty to Trump, with little focus on policy alternatives. As West Virginia gears up for the general election, the stage is set for a heated political battle between the candidates vying for leadership roles in the state.