HUNTINGTON, WV (WOWK) – It has been eight years since West Virginians elected a Democratic governor. With the majority of the state voting Republican, the question becomes, “What are the chances the state will elect a Democratic candidate?”
2024 Democratic gubernatorial candidate and Huntington Mayor Steve Williams is hoping to break the eight-year winning streak.
“There are three priorities. Jobs, jobs and jobs. We have to build infrastructure. We need to build broadband so that no matter where we drive across the state, we have a cell signal,” Williams said, explaining some of his campaign goals.
Williams’ Republican opponent is Attorney General Patrick Morrisey.
During his primary victory speech, Morrisey said, “I will appeal to all who want to get West Virginia to a place where we raise our standards to embrace the madness of the woke left and what is coming from Washington.”
Morrisey received a total of 33% of the vote Tuesday, making it a tight race with Moore Capito and Chris Miller.
Marybeth Beller, a political science professor at Marshall University, believes low voter turnout played a role, but other factors could also lead to the majority voting for Williams.
“Given a preliminary number of 30%, that tells me that Republicans were not excited about the gubernatorial election,” Beller said, referring to the percentage of voters who went to the polls in the primary.
But even with this information, what are the chances of a “red state” electing a Democratic governor? Beller says they are higher than some might think.
“I think it’s very possible. Both candidates have a track record and it will be an exciting election,” says Beller.
West Virginia’s general election will take place on November 5, 2024.
