Governor Jim Justice and Attorney General Patrick Morrisey have a significant lead among West Virginia voters ahead of the November election, according to a novel poll released Friday.
The WVMetronews pollshows Justice, a Republican, is well ahead of his Democratic opponent, former Wheeling Mayor Glenn Elliott, in the race for the U.S. Senate, with 62% to 28%.
Justice is a two-term governor who is struggling with enormous financial problems, totaling $1 billion in debt tied to his family’s fortune. Greenbrier Resortan unpaid COVID-19 loansunpaid Mine safety fines and more.
The poll was conducted by 400 registered voters between August 21 and 27, suggesting that the popular two-term governor has maintained his lead in the red state despite the debt burden.
All 55 counties were included in the sample. The confidence level is +/- 4.9 percentage points.
Morrisey, a Republican, leads his Democratic opponent, Huntington Mayor Steve Williams, 49% to 35% in the Race for the governorship.
Rex Repass is president of Research America, which conducts the poll. He said neither Elliott nor Williams are known outside their local areas.
“Fifty-seven percent said they didn’t know enough about them to form an opinion,” he said. “Steve and Glenn have to make a name for themselves. It’s a tough fight for them.”
Elliott was one of the only statewide candidates campaigning across West Virginia this election season. He is working to visit all 55 counties before Election Day on November 5th and has nearly reached his goal.
In the presidential race, Republican former President Donald J. Trump was ahead of Democratic Vice President Kamala Harris with 61% of the voter surveyed in West Virginia, compared to 34%.
“There is no doubt that Donald Trump is strong in West Virginia,” said Repass. “He is still clearly ahead in our poll.”
Trump won West Virginia twice in the 2016 and 2020 elections. The poll found that Trump, the Was accused of Interference in the federal electionremains a leading political figure who is most popular with West Virginians ahead of Justice.
Repass noted that his poll found that support for Harris in West Virginia was strongest among women. Harris has supported reproductive rights and women’s health care a central part their campaign.
The poll results also showed that economic and employment issues are the most vital issue for West Virginia residents.
