Republican Patrick Morrisey, a social conservative who handily won his election, was ceremoniously sworn in as the 37th governor of West Virginia on the steps of the state Capitol on Monday.
“We all know that our best days are ahead of us. “We will no longer be content to watch other states pass us by,” Morrisey said to the crowd that exceeded available seats despite the low temperatures and snow-covered Capitol grounds. Morrisey was officially sworn in as governor at midnight on Sunday in a private ceremony at the governor’s mansion.
“West Virginia faces some real challenges that need to be addressed. The DC elites, the news media, Hollywood, they all look down on us. They don’t believe we can overcome our challenges. They don’t believe we can succeed. … I have a message for you. We’re going to prove you wrong,” Morrisey said.
The 56-year-old has been the state’s attorney general since 2013. He replaces Jim Justice, who was elected to the US Senate though has not yet been sworn inand renounced the first 10 days of his term in the Senate.
Justice attended the inauguration in Charleston along with former governors Joe Manchin and Earl Ray Tomblin.
Morrisey’s inaugural address focused on cutting government restrictions, “ending wokeness” and making West Virginia an energy juggernaut.
“We are America’s energy state and my administration will harness these resources like you’ve never seen before,” he said. “And that means working with President Donald J. Trump. If ever there was a freeman from West Virginia, it should be Donald Trump.”
His mention of Trump, the won all of West Virginia’s districts In the November election, he received the loudest applause during Morrisey’s speech.
He added that West Virginia will have its own “version of DOGE.” Federal Ministry for Government Efficiency led by Trump allies Elon Musk and Vivek Ramaswamy. Morrisey said he plans to examine state agencies to reduce government waste.
Morrisey will work with an overwhelmingly Republican Senate and House as he has called for further cuts to the state income tax. West Virginia residents saw a 6% reduction in the state’s income tax under the justice system; A cut was paid for by Money from the state health authorities.
“We’re going to cut the state income tax and make it lower than every state we touch. We will give you more money back,” he said.
But the proposed tax cut will come as Morrisey inherits one State government budget problem. He has already said there will likely be budget cuts for the 2026 fiscal year, and his proposed DOGE push will look for ways to save money in state government. The state care system now exists is in crisis and public schools close due to the decline in student numbers and buildings in need of repair.
He plans to expand the Hope Scholarship, the federal education savings account program that provides families about $4,900 per student to apply for private schools, homeschooling, microschools and more. The program is already the most comprehensive ESA program in the country, and there is money were given out to schools outside of Germany.
Morrisey said he would augment teacher salaries, which are the lowest in the country.
“We will ensure that teachers in West Virginia are paid competitively with those in neighboring states,” he said. “We will cut the bureaucracy that burdens our classrooms. Our teachers can spend more time teaching and less time dealing with bureaucracy.”
Just as West Virginia continues to do Lead the nation Morrisey has been criticized regarding the number of drug overdose deaths per capita for his work as a pharmaceutical lobbyist and his handling of the opioid litigation in West Virginia. Morrisey noted in his speech that he used his time as attorney general to hold accountable “those responsible” for the opioid epidemic; The state secured nearly $1 billion in litigation through lawsuits with drug companies.
“We’ve done a lot of good where we’re making progress, but let’s be clear: This fight is far from over,” Morrisey said. “As governor, I will continue to combat this scourge. We simply cannot allow another generation to fall victim to a senseless death. We will not allow our neighbors to fight this alone.”
Morrisey has 15 people announced This is used to fill leadership and cabinet positions. They include longtime Republican activists, people who worked with him in the state’s attorney general’s office, and current and former state lawmakers. His chief of staff will be Tom McCaffery, who served as principal deputy secretary of Defense under Trump.
Originally from New Jersey, Morrisey is West Virginia’s first governor from Jefferson County. The dedication included a performance by the Jefferson High School Chamber Choir.
More Republicans were sworn into statewide offices Monday, including Treasurer Larry Pack, Secretary of State Kris Warner and the Agriculture Commissioner Kent Leonhardt. Former State Senator Charlie Trumpa Republican, was sworn in as the newest member of the West Virginia Supreme Court.
Inauguration Day includes a Full day activitiesincluding a parade in Charleston, a Celebration of the West Virginia Concert at the Charleston Coliseum & Convention Center and Inaugural Ball.
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