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2024 West Virginia gubernatorial election

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2024 West Virginia gubernatorial election

← 2020 November 5, 2024 2028 →
Reporting
96%
as of 11:33 AM EST
 
Nominee Patrick Morrisey Steve Williams
Party Republican Democratic
Popular vote 454,021 230,238
Percentage 62.1% 31.5%

County results
Morrisey:      40–50%      50–60%      60–70%      70–80%      80–90%

Governor before election

Jim Justice
Republican

Elected Governor

Patrick Morrisey
Republican

The 2024 West Virginia gubernatorial election was 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 was elected to his first term in office after defeating Democratic Huntington mayor Steve Williams in the general election.[1] Incumbent Republican Jim Justice was term-limited and was unable to seek re-election to a third consecutive term in office; he instead ran for the U.S. Senate.[2]

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.[3] This is the first time since 1972 that Republicans won consecutive gubernatorial elections in the state.

Background

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A 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.[4]

Republican primary

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Candidates

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Nominee

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Eliminated in primary

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Withdrew

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Declined

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Endorsements

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Moore Capito
Federal politicians
Statewide politicians
Newspapers
Chris Miller
Individuals
Patrick Morrisey

Debates

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2024 West Virginia gubernatorial election Republican primary debates
No. Date Host Moderator Link Republican Republican Republican Republican
 P  Participant   A  Absent   N  Non-invitee   I  Invitee W  Withdrawn
Morrisey Capito Miller Warner
1 Dec. 8, 2023 MetroNews Hoppy Kercheval YouTube A P P P
2 Feb. 29, 2024 Hoppy Kercheval YouTube P P P P
3 Apr. 30, 2024 WSAZ-3 WSAZ-3 P P P P

Fundraising

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Campaign 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[25]

Polling

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Poll 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

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Results by county:
  Morrisey
  •   20–30%
  •   30–40%
  •   40–50%
  •   50–60%
  •   60–70%
  Capito
  •   20–30%
  •   30–40%
  Miller
  •   20–30%
  •   30–40%
  •   40–50%
Republican primary results[26]
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

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Candidates

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Nominee

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Declined

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Results

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Democratic primary results[26]
Party Candidate Votes %
Democratic Steve Williams 89,545 100.00%
Total votes 89,545 100.00%

Other candidates

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Mountain Party

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Nominee

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Libertarian Party

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Nominee

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  • Erika Kolenich, attorney and nominee for governor in 2020[31]

Constitution Party

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Nominee

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Independents

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Declined

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  • Joe Manchin, U.S. Senator (2010–present) and former governor (2005–2010) (endorsed Williams)[33]

General election

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Predictions

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Source Ranking As of
The Cook Political Report[34] Solid R June 13, 2024
Inside Elections[35] Solid R July 14, 2023
Sabato's Crystal Ball[36] Safe R June 4, 2024
RCP[37] Solid R July 13, 2024
Elections Daily[38] Safe R July 12, 2023
CNalysis[39] Solid R August 17, 2024

Post-primary endorsements

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Patrick Morrisey (R)
Federal officials
Steve Williams (D)
Federal officials
  • Joe Manchin, U.S. Senator (2010–present) and former governor (2005–2010)[33]

Debates

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2024 West Virginia gubernatorial election debate[41]
No. Date Host Moderator Link Republican Democratic
Key:
 P  Participant   A  Absent   N  Not invited   I  Invited  W  Withdrawn
Morrisey Williams
1 Oct. 29, 2024 MetroNews Hoppy Kercheval C-SPAN P P

Fundraising

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Campaign finance reports as of October 25, 2024
Candidate Raised Spent Cash on hand
Patrick Morrisey (R) $6,824,464 $6,183,264 $1,351,895
Steve Williams (D) $250,255 $92,274 $156,426
Source: West Virginia Secretary of State[42]

Polling

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Poll 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]
Hypothetical polling
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

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2024 West Virginia gubernatorial election
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Republican Patrick Morrisey 454,021 62.1%
Democratic Steve Williams 230,238 31.5%
Libertarian Erika Kolenich 20,967 2.9%
Mountain Chase Linko-Looper 9,457 1.3%
Constitution S. Marshall Wilson 16,384 2.2%
Total votes 731,067 100%

Notes

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  1. ^ a b c Key:
    A – all adults
    RV – registered voters
    LV – likely voters
    V – unclear
  2. ^ Mitch Roberts with 2%; Kevin Christian with 1%
  3. ^ J.B. McCuskey with 3%; "Another candidate" with 5%
  4. ^ J.B. McCuskey and Jeff Mullins with 3%
  5. ^ "Someone else" with 5%
Partisan clients
  1. ^ a b This poll was sponsored by West Virginia MetroNews and The Health Plan
  2. ^ This poll was sponsored by the Coalition for West Virginia’s Future, which supports Capito
  3. ^ a b Poll commissioned by Black Bear PAC, which supports Morrissey
  4. ^ This poll was sponsored by WMOV
  5. ^ This poll was sponsored by American Freedom Builders, which supports Warner
  6. ^ This poll was sponsored by the West Virginia Chamber of Commerce
  7. ^ Poll sponsored by West Virginia MetroNews

References

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  1. ^ "West Virginia Governor Election Results 2024: Williams vs. Morrisey". The New York Times. November 5, 2024. Retrieved November 7, 2024.
  2. ^ 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.
  3. ^ "2024 State Primary Election Dates". www.ncsl.org. Retrieved August 6, 2023.
  4. ^ "West Virginia GOP auditor announces 2024 run for governor". AP NEWS. February 28, 2023. Retrieved March 2, 2023.
  5. ^ "AG Morrisey announces 2024 run for Governor". WDTV. April 4, 2023. Retrieved April 4, 2023.
  6. ^ 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.
  7. ^ a b "WV SOS - Elections - Candidate - Online Data Services". apps.sos.wv.gov. Retrieved January 10, 2024.
  8. ^ 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.
  9. ^ "W.Va. Secretary of State Mac Warner announces he will run for governor". WCHS-TV. January 10, 2023. Retrieved January 10, 2023.
  10. ^ 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.
  11. ^ "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.
  12. ^ "Treasurer Riley Moore jumps into congressional race, another early political announcement". WV Metro News. November 21, 2022. Retrieved November 21, 2022.
  13. ^ Hodousek, Carrie (December 1, 2022). "Capito supports son's move to run for governor, says he will bring energy". Retrieved August 18, 2024.
  14. ^ McElhinny, Brad (April 18, 2024). "Governor Justice endorses Moore Capito to succeed him". West Virginia MetroNews. Retrieved April 18, 2024.
  15. ^ "In a crowded, quality field, Capito stands out". The Exponent Telegram. May 4, 2024. Retrieved May 13, 2024.
  16. ^ "Former West Virginia University coach Bob Huggins to visit Wheeling to endorse Chris Miller for Governor". WTRF. April 4, 2024. Retrieved April 4, 2024.
  17. ^ a b Weaver, Alexandra (May 31, 2023). "Citizens United president makes West Virginia governor endorsement". WBOY. Retrieved June 20, 2023.
  18. ^ 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.
  19. ^ "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.
  20. ^ "Club for Growth PAC and Black Bear PAC Endorse Patrick Morrisey for Governor". April 5, 2023. Archived from the original on April 5, 2023.
  21. ^ 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.
  22. ^ "West Virginia". NRA-PVF. Archived from the original on April 6, 2024. Retrieved April 6, 2024.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: unfit URL (link)
  23. ^ "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.
  24. ^ 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.
  25. ^ "Governor - 2024 Election". West Virginia Secretary of State Campaign Finance Reporting System.
  26. ^ a b "West Virginia Governor Primary Election 2024 Live Results". www.nbcnews.com. Retrieved August 18, 2024.
  27. ^ 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.
  28. ^ 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.
  29. ^ 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.
  30. ^ Lawrence, Brandy (June 20, 2023). "Chase Linko-Looper announces candidacy for Governor". WOAY. Retrieved June 22, 2023.
  31. ^ "Libertarian Party selects candidate for West Virginia governor". WBOY.com. December 1, 2023. Retrieved June 18, 2024.
  32. ^ 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.
  33. ^ a b McClung, Ty (May 29, 2024). "Manchin addresses rumors about run for WV governor". The Herald-Dispatch. Retrieved May 30, 2024.
  34. ^ "2024 Governor Race ratings". The Cook Political Report. Retrieved July 24, 2023.
  35. ^ "Gubernatorial Ratings". Inside Elections. Retrieved July 24, 2023.
  36. ^ "2024 Gubernatorial race ratings". Sabato's Crystal Ball. Retrieved July 24, 2023.
  37. ^ "2024 Governor Races". www.realclearpolling.com. Retrieved July 16, 2024.
  38. ^ "Election Ratings". Elections Daily. July 22, 2023. Retrieved July 24, 2023.
  39. ^ "Governor Forecasts". CNalysis. Retrieved August 17, 2024.
  40. ^ "Trump endorses Patrick Morrisey in race for W.Va. governor". WCHS-TV. May 21, 2024. Retrieved May 21, 2024.
  41. ^ McElhinny, Brad (October 1, 2024). "Morrisey and Williams, candidates for governor, agree to MetroNews debate". West Virginia MetroNews. Retrieved October 1, 2024.
  42. ^ "Governor - 2024 Election". West Virginia Secretary of State Campaign Finance Reporting System.
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Official campaign websites