CHARLESTON – As expected, the red wave of Republican victory once again swept through West Virginia on election night.
Donald Trump, Jim Justice and Patrick Morrisey all scored victories in the Mountain State in their campaigns for U.S. president, Senate and governor. All three races were called within minutes of polls closing in West Virginia at 7:30 p.m
As of 9:45 p.m., Trump led Vice President Kamala Harris by a 69-29 margin. Outgoing Gov. Justice led former Wheeling Mayor Glenn Elliott in the Senate race 69-28, and outgoing Attorney General Morrisey led outgoing Huntington Mayor Steve Williams 61- in the governor’s race. 32.
In the state’s two U.S. House races, incumbent Republican Carol Miller led Democrat Chris Bob Reed and independent Wes Holden 66-26-7 in the 1st District race, and Republican Riley Moore led Democrat Steve Wendelin 70-30.
GOP dominance also extended to other statewide offices.
In other statewide races, Republican JB McCuskey led Democrat Teresa Toriseva in the race for attorney general by a 69-31 margin, Republican Kris Warner led Democrat Thornton Cooper 70-30 in the race for Secretary of State, Republican Mark Hunt led Democrat Mary Ann Roebuck Claytor by 69 -31 in the auditor’s race, and Republican incumbent Kent Leonhardt led Democrat Deborah Stiles in the agriculture commissioner’s race 69-31. Republican Larry Pack was unopposed in the treasurer’s race.
“It’s hard to explain how humbling it feels when West Virginians hire you as their lawyer,” McCuskey told The West Virginia Record. “I am incredibly excited to passionately support the values of West Virginians, the rights of West Virginians, and the people of West Virginia.”
Also, the vote on a constitutional amendment to protect state citizens from medically assisted suicide was 50-50, with a slightly higher vote in favor of the amendment.
“Thank you from the bottom of my heart, West Virginia, thank you very much,” Justice said at his victory reception at The Greenbrier resort. “It has been an honor to serve as governor, and now I will proudly represent you in the United States Senate. As a patriot and conservative, I firmly believe in the greatness of America and am committed to keeping America and West Virginia first in the U.S. Senate.
“In the U.S. Senate, I will fight to make America First, which is good for West Virginians, a priority.[…]It is my absolute highest honor to now serve West Virginia as a Republican senator in the United States Senate.”
National Republican Senate Committee Chairman Steve Daines hailed Justice’s victory.
“Congratulations to Governor Jim Justice on officially becoming West Virginia’s next United States Senator,” Daines said. “Jim has served West Virginians well by lowering taxes and creating opportunity in all parts of the state. I know he will continue to do the same in the Senate and we look forward to having Big Jim and Baby Dog in DC.”
Senate Leadership Fund President and CEO Steven Law also congratulated Justice on her victory.
“The Senate map would look much more difficult if senator-elect Justice had not answered the call to run,” Law said. “We have been proud to support Senator-elect Justice’s efforts from day one and look forward to his presence (along with Baby-Dog) in the United States Senate.”
Republican Governors Association chairman and Tennessee Gov. Bill Lee congratulated Morrisey on his victory.
“Governor-elect Patrick Morrisey has proven himself to be a steadfast defender of West Virginia’s conservative values and a national leader in the fight against the Biden administration,” Lee said. “His unparalleled achievements, from securing one of the largest deep state victories in the West Virginia v. EPA case to raising over $1 billion in the opioid settlement to fight the drug epidemic, demonstrate his commitment to fighting for the people of West Virginia.
“Patrick Morrisey has shown time and time again that he will deliver real results. His conservative leadership had a huge impact. RGA is proud to congratulate Governor-elect Patrick Morrisey and we look forward to supporting his efforts to continue to lead the Mountain State.”
