The 2024 West Virginia gubernatorial election will be held on November 5, 2024, to elect the governor of West Virginia, concurrently with the 2024 U.S. presidential election, as well as elections to the United States Senate and elections to the United States House of Representatives and various state and local elections. Republican State Attorney General Patrick Morrisey is running against Huntington Mayor Steve Williams for Governor. Incumbent Jim Justice is term-limited and cannot seek re-election to a third consecutive term in office; he is instead running for the U.S. Senate.[1] First elected in 2016 as a Democrat by 6.8 percentage points, Justice switched parties in August 2017 and won re-election in 2020 as a Republican by 33.3 percentage points. Primary elections took place on May 14, 2024.[2]
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Background
editA conservative rural southeastern state, West Virginia is considered extremely Republican at the federal and state levels; Republicans hold all statewide executive offices and supermajorities in both state legislative houses, and from 2015 until he became an Independent in 2024, Senator Joe Manchin had been the state's only congressional Democrat. In the 2020 presidential election, Donald Trump carried West Virginia by 38.93 percentage points.
With Jim Justice term-limited and unable to run for a third consecutive term as Governor, the Republican primary was expected to be competitive and crowded. Most analysts consider Republicans to be a heavy favorite, given the state's partisan lean and the margin from the previous election.[3]
Republican primary
editCandidates
editNominee
edit- Patrick Morrisey, West Virginia Attorney General (2013–present) and nominee for U.S. Senate in 2018[4]
Eliminated in primary
edit- Moore Capito, former state delegate (2016–2023), grandson of former governor Arch Moore, and son of U.S. Senator Shelley Moore Capito[5]
- Kevin Christian, electrical engineer[6]
- Chris Miller, automobile dealer and son of U.S. Representative Carol Miller[7]
- Mitch Roberts, store manager and write-in candidate for governor in 2020[6]
- Mac Warner, West Virginia Secretary of State (2017–present)[8]
Withdrew
edit- J.B. McCuskey, West Virginia State Auditor (2017–present) (running for attorney general)[9]
Declined
edit- Kent Leonhardt, West Virginia Commissioner of Agriculture (2017–present) (running for re-election)[10]
- Riley Moore, West Virginia State Treasurer (2021–present) and grandson of former governor Arch Moore (running for U.S. House)[11]
Endorsements
edit- Federal politicians
- Shelley Moore Capito, U.S. Senator from West Virginia (2015–present) (candidate's mother)[12]
- Statewide politicians
- Jim Justice, Governor of West Virginia (2017–present)[13]
- Newspapers
- Individuals
- Bob Huggins, former basketball coach[15]
- Individuals
- David Bossie, president of Citizens United[16]
- Vivek Ramaswamy, entrepreneur and former candidate for President in 2024[17]
- Organizations
- Americans for Prosperity[18]
- Citizens United PVF[16]
- Club for Growth[19]
- National Association for Gun Rights PAC[20]
- NRA Political Victory Fund[21]
- West Virginia Coal Association[22]
- West Virginia Sheriff's Association[23]
Fundraising
editCampaign finance reports as of April 28, 2024 | |||
---|---|---|---|
Candidate | Raised | Spent | Cash on hand |
Patrick Morrisey (R) | $3,624,343 | $3,078,086 | $695,276 |
Moore Capito (R) | $2,131,285 | $1,519,377 | $599,354 |
Chris Miller (R) | $1,615,788 | $6,175,751 | $519,538 |
Mac Warner (R) | $559,038 | $372,948 | $172,787 |
Source: West Virginia Secretary of State[24] |
Polling
editPoll source | Date(s) administered |
Sample size[a] |
Margin of error |
Moore Capito |
Chris Miller |
Patrick Morrisey |
Mac Warner |
Other | Undecided |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Emerson College | May 2–5, 2024 | 558 (LV) | ± 4.1% | 29% | 21% | 33% | 15% | 3%[b] | – |
Research America[A] | April 24 – May 1, 2024 | 407 (LV) | ± 4.9% | 24% | 25% | 32% | 10% | 3% | 6% |
NMB Research[B] | April 20–22, 2024 | 500 (LV) | ± 4.4% | 31% | 14% | 23% | 13% | – | 18% |
Research America[A] | April 3–9, 2024 | 400 (LV) | ± 4.9% | 29% | 16% | 31% | 12% | 3% | 10% |
WPA Intelligence[C] | April 1–3, 2024 | 501 (LV) | ± 4.4% | 20% | 19% | 37% | 14% | – | 9% |
Emerson College | March 19–21, 2024 | 735 (LV) | ± 3.6% | 14% | 16% | 33% | 6% | – | 29% |
WPA Intelligence[C] | November 27–29, 2023 | 507 (LV) | ± 4.4% | 23% | 10% | 39% | 14% | – | 14% |
American Pulse Research & Polling (R)[D] |
November 13–14, 2023 | 414 (LV) | ± 4.8% | 23% | 10% | 31% | 14% | – | 23% |
CAMP[E] | November 10–12, 2023 | 863 (LV) | ± 3.26% | 18% | 11% | 24% | 21% | 5% | 21% |
Orion Strategies[F] | June 17–20, 2023 | 651 (LV) | ± 6.0% | 30% | 5% | 31% | 9% | 8%[c] | 17% |
National Research Inc. | February 23–28, 2023 | 600 (LV) | ± 4.0% | 15% | 6% | 28% | 11% | 6%[d] | 29% |
Results
edit- 20–30%
- 30–40%
- 40–50%
- 50–60%
- 60–70%
- 20–30%
- 30–40%
- 20–30%
- 30–40%
- 40–50%
Party | Candidate | Votes | % | |
---|---|---|---|---|
Republican | Patrick Morrisey | 75,111 | 33.28% | |
Republican | Moore Capito | 62,181 | 27.55% | |
Republican | Chris Miller | 46,010 | 20.39% | |
Republican | Mac Warner | 36,170 | 16.03% | |
Republican | Mitch Roberts | 3,138 | 1.39% | |
Republican | Kevin Christian | 3,088 | 1.37% | |
Total votes | 225,698 | 100.00% |
Democratic primary
editCandidates
editNominee
edit- Steve Williams, mayor of Huntington (2013–present) and former state delegate (1986–1994)[26]
Declined
edit- Joe Manchin, U.S. Senator (2010–present) and former governor (2005–2010)[27]
- Ben Salango, Kanawha County commissioner and nominee for governor in 2020[28]
Results
editParty | Candidate | Votes | % | |
---|---|---|---|---|
Democratic | Steve Williams | 89,545 | 100.00% | |
Total votes | 89,545 | 100.00% |
Other candidates
editMountain Party
editNominee
editLibertarian Party
editNominee
editConstitution Party
editNominee
edit- S. Marshall Wilson, former Republican state delegate (2016–2020) and write-in candidate for governor in 2020[31]
Independents
editDeclined
edit- Joe Manchin, U.S. Senator (2010–present) and former governor (2005–2010) (endorsed Williams)[32]
General election
editPredictions
editSource | Ranking | As of |
---|---|---|
The Cook Political Report[33] | Solid R | June 13, 2024 |
Inside Elections[34] | Solid R | July 14, 2023 |
Sabato's Crystal Ball[35] | Safe R | June 4, 2024 |
RCP[36] | Solid R | July 13, 2024 |
Elections Daily[37] | Safe R | July 12, 2023 |
CNalysis[38] | Solid R | August 17, 2024 |
Post-primary endorsements
edit- Federal officials
- Donald Trump, 45th president of the United States (2017–2021)[39]
- Federal officials
- Joe Manchin, U.S. Senator (2010–present) and former governor (2005–2010)[32]
Polling
editPoll source | Date(s) administered |
Sample size[a] |
Margin of error |
Patrick Morrisey (R) |
Steve Williams (D) |
Undecided |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Research America[G] | August 21–27, 2024 | 400 (RV) | ± 4.9% | 49% | 35% | 16%[e] |
- Patrick Morrisey vs. Joe Manchin vs. Steve Williams
Poll source | Date(s) administered |
Sample size[a] |
Margin of error |
Patrick Morrisey (R) |
Joe Manchin (I) |
Steve Williams (D) |
Other | Undecided |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Kaplan Strategies | June 4, 2024 | 464 (LV) | ± 4.6% | 34% | 26% | 21% | 1% | 18% |
Results
editParty | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% | |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Republican | Patrick Morrisey | ||||
Democratic | Steve Williams | ||||
Libertarian | Erika Kolenich | ||||
Mountain | Chase Linko-Looper | ||||
Constitution | S. Marshall Wilson | ||||
Total votes |
Notes
edit- Partisan clients
- ^ a b This poll was sponsored by West Virginia MetroNews and The Health Plan
- ^ This poll was sponsored by the Coalition for West Virginia’s Future, which supports Capito
- ^ a b Poll commissioned by Black Bear PAC, which supports Morrissey
- ^ This poll was sponsored by WMOV
- ^ This poll was sponsored by American Freedom Builders, which supports Warner
- ^ This poll was sponsored by the West Virginia Chamber of Commerce
- ^ Poll sponsored by West Virginia MetroNews
References
edit- ^ Staff, WDTV News (April 27, 2023). "Gov. Justice announces run for U.S. Senate". www.wdtv.com. Archived from the original on April 27, 2023. Retrieved April 27, 2023.
- ^ "2024 State Primary Election Dates". www.ncsl.org. Retrieved August 6, 2023.
- ^ "West Virginia GOP auditor announces 2024 run for governor". AP NEWS. February 28, 2023. Retrieved March 2, 2023.
- ^ "AG Morrisey announces 2024 run for Governor". WDTV. April 4, 2023. Retrieved April 4, 2023.
- ^ McElhinny, Brad (November 29, 2022). "Moore Capito, whose name likely rings a bell, says he's running for West Virginia governor". WV MetroNews. Retrieved November 29, 2022.
- ^ a b "WV SOS - Elections - Candidate - Online Data Services". apps.sos.wv.gov. Retrieved January 10, 2024.
- ^ Adams, Steven. "Chris Miller, Son of Congresswoman Carol Miller, Announces 2024 Run for West Virginia Governor". www.theintelligencer.net. The Intelligencer and Wheeling News Register. Retrieved December 24, 2021.
- ^ "W.Va. Secretary of State Mac Warner announces he will run for governor". WCHS-TV. January 10, 2023. Retrieved January 10, 2023.
- ^ McElhinny, Brad (July 24, 2023). "McCuskey pivots to attorney general's race, and Weld and Stuart say they won't back down". West Virginia MetroNews. Retrieved July 24, 2023.
Two-term state Auditor J.B. McCuskey, who was competing in a crowded field for governor, has pivoted to the attorney general's race instead.
- ^ "W.Va. Agriculture Commissioner Kent Leonhardt to seek third term".
Kent Leonhardt announced Wednesday he will seek a third term and will not run for governor.
- ^ "Treasurer Riley Moore jumps into congressional race, another early political announcement". WV Metro News. November 21, 2022. Retrieved November 21, 2022.
- ^ Hodousek, Carrie (December 1, 2022). "Capito supports son's move to run for governor, says he will bring energy". Retrieved August 18, 2024.
- ^ McElhinny, Brad (April 18, 2024). "Governor Justice endorses Moore Capito to succeed him". West Virginia MetroNews. Retrieved April 18, 2024.
- ^ "In a crowded, quality field, Capito stands out". The Exponent Telegram. May 4, 2024. Retrieved May 13, 2024.
- ^ "Former West Virginia University coach Bob Huggins to visit Wheeling to endorse Chris Miller for Governor". WTRF. April 4, 2024. Retrieved April 4, 2024.
- ^ a b Weaver, Alexandra (May 31, 2023). "Citizens United president makes West Virginia governor endorsement". WBOY. Retrieved June 20, 2023.
- ^ Davanzo, Serena (May 3, 2024). "Vivek Ramaswamy joined Patrick Morrisey on the campaign trail after endorsing him for Governor". WOAY-TV. Retrieved May 16, 2024.
- ^ "Americans for Prosperity Announces Endorsement of Patrick Morrisey for West Virginia Governor". americansforprosperity.org. July 19, 2023. Archived from the original on November 11, 2023. Retrieved November 10, 2023.
- ^ "Club for Growth PAC and Black Bear PAC Endorse Patrick Morrisey for Governor". April 5, 2023. Archived from the original on April 5, 2023.
- ^ Edwards, Billy (May 10, 2024). "The National Association for Gun Rights PAC endorses Gubernatorial Candidate Patrick Morrisey for West Virginia". National Association for Gun Rights. Retrieved May 13, 2024.
- ^ "West Virginia". NRA-PVF. Archived from the original on April 6, 2024. Retrieved April 6, 2024.
{{cite web}}
: CS1 maint: unfit URL (link) - ^ "WV Coal Association Endorses Slate of Pro-Coal Candidates for 2024 Election". www.wvcoal.com. Archived from the original on September 2, 2023. Retrieved September 2, 2023.
- ^ Gunnoe, Cameron (January 29, 2024). "West Virginia Sheriffs' Association Endorses Attorney General Patrick Morrisey for Governor". Lootpress. Archived from the original on April 6, 2024. Retrieved April 6, 2024.
- ^ "Governor - 2024 Election". West Virginia Secretary of State Campaign Finance Reporting System. Retrieved August 19, 2024.
- ^ a b "West Virginia Governor Primary Election 2024 Live Results". www.nbcnews.com. Retrieved August 18, 2024.
- ^ Staff, WSAZ News (September 4, 2023). "Huntington Mayor says he plans to file to run for Governor of W.Va". WSAZ. Retrieved September 4, 2023.
- ^ Doherty, Erin (January 22, 2023). "Manchin on 2024 political ambitions: "Everything is on table"". Axios. Retrieved January 22, 2023.
He did rule out running for West Virginia governor in 2024.
- ^ McElhinny, Brad (July 5, 2023). "Salango says he won't repeat bid for governor; Huntington Mayor Williams says he's closer to launch". West Virginia MetroNews. Retrieved July 5, 2023.
- ^ Lawrence, Brandy (June 20, 2023). "Chase Linko-Looper announces candidacy for Governor". WOAY. Retrieved June 22, 2023.
- ^ "Libertarian Party selects candidate for West Virginia governor". WBOY.com. December 1, 2023. Retrieved June 18, 2024.
- ^ Patterson, Jessica (July 30, 2024). "Former Del. Wilson joins ballot for West Virginia governor's race as Constitution Party candidate". WFXR-TV. Retrieved August 1, 2024.
- ^ a b McClung, Ty (May 29, 2024). "Manchin addresses rumors about run for WV governor". The Herald-Dispatch. Retrieved May 30, 2024.
- ^ "2024 Governor Race ratings". The Cook Political Report. Retrieved July 24, 2023.
- ^ "Gubernatorial Ratings". Inside Elections. Retrieved July 24, 2023.
- ^ "2024 Gubernatorial race ratings". Sabato's Crystal Ball. Retrieved July 24, 2023.
- ^ "2024 Governor Races". www.realclearpolling.com. Retrieved July 16, 2024.
- ^ "Election Ratings". Elections Daily. July 22, 2023. Retrieved July 24, 2023.
- ^ "Governor Forecasts". CNalysis. Retrieved August 17, 2024.
- ^ "Trump endorses Patrick Morrisey in race for W.Va. governor". WCHS-TV. May 21, 2024. Retrieved May 21, 2024.
External links
edit- Official campaign websites