| Federal Elections
Former President Donald J. Trump — on his way to an apparent national victory — rolled in West Virginia, defeating Vice President Kamala Harris with a 40% margin. Trump received 69% to Harris’29% in the Mountain State.
In the U.S. Senate race, Governor Jim Justice easily defeated former Wheeling Mayor and Robert C. Byrd staffer Glen Elliott 69% to 28%.
In West Virginia’s two congressional races, incumbent Carol Miller and current state Treasurer Riley Moore cruised to victory over their Democratic challengers. Miller will enter her fourth term in the House of Representatives. She currently sits on the House Ways and Means Committee. Moore, grandson of former Congressman and Governor Arch Moore and nephew of U.S. Senator Shelley Moore Capito, will prepare for his inaugural term in the House of Representatives.
State Offices
Republicans swept races for constitutional offices.
Patrick Morrisey, incumbent Attorney General, prevailed in the gubernatorial race over Huntington Mayor Steve Williams. Incumbent Auditor J.B. McCuskey won the race for Attorney General. Kanawha County businessman Larry Pack, now acting Secretary of Revenue in the Justice administration, was unopposed in his race for Treasurer. Mark Hunt (Auditor), Kris Warner (Secretary of State), and Kent Leonhardt (Agriculture Commissioner) each won their races by at least 200,000 votes.
Looking at the Legislature
In West Virginia’s State Legislature, six incumbent Republican Senators won their general election races without facing opponents. Ryan Weld from the 1st District, Donna Boley from the 3rd, Rupie Phillips from the 7th, Glenn Jeffries from the 8th, Jack David Woodrum from the 10th, and Patrick Martin from the 12th will return to the statehouse in January. Additionally, Chris Rose defeated incumbent Mike Maroney in the 2nd District primary election and did not have a challenger in his Senate race.
Click here for WVMetroNews coverage: Republicans bump up supermajority in state Senate as Democrats are down to two
What can we expect in the West Virginia Senate?
The Senate will consist of 32 Republicans and two Democrats. Republicans gained one seat when Republican Scott Fuller won his bid to succeed retiring Democrat Senator Bob Plymale from Wayne County. Members are preparing to elect the next Senate President. Outgoing President Craig Blair, a Republican from Berkeley, lost his primary bid for re-election. A new Senate President will establish his or her leadership team in the coming weeks.
What can we expect in the West Virginia House?
The House is projected to consist of 89 Republicans and 11 Democrats. It is unclear whether current House of Delegates Speaker Roger Hanshaw will face any challengers for his position. Should Hanshaw continue as Speaker, he will have to appoint a new Majority Leader and new committee chairs and following the retirement of several members from his leadership team. Those include the Health and Judiciary committees. He also will look for a new Vice Chair for Finance. |
