2024 West Virginia gubernatorial election
The 2024 West Virginia gubernatorial election will be held on November 5, 2024, to elect the governor of West Virginia, concurrently with the 2024 U.S. presidential election, as well as elections to the United States Senate and elections to the United States House of Representatives and various state and local elections. Incumbent Republican Governor Jim Justice is term-limited and cannot seek re-election to a third consecutive term in office.
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| Elections in West Virginia |
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Background
A conservative rural southeastern state, West Virginia is considered extremely Republican at the federal level, with all state-wide elected officials (excluding Joe Manchin) belonging to the Republican Party, who also have overwhelming majorities in both houses of the West Virginia Legislature. In the 2020 presidential election, Donald Trump carried West Virginia by nearly 40 percentage points.
Incumbent governor Jim Justice was first elected in 2016 as a Democrat, defeating Bill Cole by 7 percentage points. Justice was re-elected in 2020 as a Republican, defeating Ben Salango by about 30 percentage points. Justice is term-limited and can not run again.
With Jim Justice term-limited, the Republican primary is expected to be competitive and crowded. Most analysts consider Republicans to be a heavy favorite, given the state's partisan lean and the margins from the previous election.[1]
Republican primary
Declared
- Moore Capito, state delegate (2016–present), grandson of former governor Arch Moore, and son of U.S. Senator Shelley Moore Capito[2]
- J.B. McCuskey, West Virginia State Auditor (2017–present)[3]
- Chris Miller, automobile dealer and son of U.S. Representative Carol Miller[4]
- Patrick Morrisey, West Virginia Attorney General (2013–present) and nominee for U.S. Senate in 2018[5]
- Mac Warner, West Virginia Secretary of State (2017–present)[6]
- Rashida Yost, preschool owner[2]
Publicly expressed interest
- David McKinley, former U.S. Representative for West Virginia's 1st congressional district (2011–2023)[7]
Potential
- Evan Jenkins, former Chief Justice of the West Virginia Supreme Court of Appeals (2021–2022) from position 5 (2018–2022), former U.S. Representative from West Virginia's 3rd congressional district (2015–2018), and candidate for U.S. Senate in 2018[8]
Declined
- Kent Leonhardt, West Virginia Commissioner of Agriculture (2017–present) (running for re-election)[9]
- Riley Moore, West Virginia State Treasurer (2021–present) and grandson of former governor Arch Moore (running for U.S. House)[10]
Endorsements
- Federal politicians
- Shelley Moore Capito, U.S. Senator from West Virginia (2015–present) (candidate's mother)[11]
- Organizations
Democratic primary
Publicly expressed interest
- Steve Williams, mayor of Huntington (2013–present) and former state delegate (1986–1994)[13][14]
Declined
- Joe Manchin, U.S. Senator (2010–present) and former governor (2005–2010)[15]
Other candidates
Declared
- S. Marshall Wilson, former Republican state delegate (2017–2021) and write-in candidate for governor in 2020[2]
Publicly expressed interest
- Chase Linko-Looper, activist and U.S. Army veteran (decision expected June 17, 2023)[16]
General election
Predictions
| Source | Ranking | As of |
|---|---|---|
| The Cook Political Report[17] | Solid R | January 13, 2023 |
| Inside Elections[18] | Solid R | January 20, 2023 |
| Sabato's Crystal Ball[19] | Safe R | January 19, 2023 |
References
- "West Virginia GOP auditor announces 2024 run for governor". AP NEWS. 2023-02-28. Retrieved 2023-03-02.
- McElhinny, Brad (2022-11-29). "Moore Capito, whose name likely rings a bell, says he's running for West Virginia governor". WV MetroNews. Retrieved 2022-11-29.
- "W.Va. state auditor to run for governor". WSAZ. Associated Press. Retrieved 2023-03-01.
- Adams, Steven. "Chris Miller, Son of Congresswoman Carol Miller, Announces 2024 Run for West Virginia Governor". www.theintelligencer.net. The Intelligencer and Wheeling News Register. Retrieved 24 December 2021.
- "AG Morrisey announces 2024 run for Governor". WDTV. April 4, 2023. Retrieved April 4, 2023.
- "W.Va. Secretary of State Mac Warner announces he will run for governor". WCHS-TV. January 10, 2023. Retrieved January 10, 2023.
- Jenkins, Jeff (2 January 2023). "McKinley leaves Capitol Hill feeling good about 'governing' over 'campaigning'". West Virginia MetroNews. Retrieved 3 January 2023.
- Nolting, Mike (27 November 2022). "Political expert says the 2024 run for the U.S. Senate in West Virginia could determine the futures of many". Retrieved December 18, 2022.
- "W.Va. Agriculture Commissioner Kent Leonhardt to seek third term".
Kent Leonhardt announced Wednesday he will seek a third term and will not run for governor.
- "Treasurer Riley Moore jumps into congressional race, another early political announcement". WV Metro News. 2022-11-21. Retrieved 2022-11-21.
- "Capito supports son's move to run for governor, says he will bring energy".
- "Club for Growth PAC and Black Bear PAC Endorse Patrick Morrisey for Governor".
- "Daily Kos Elections Live Digest: 1/20". 20 January 2023.
- Nolting, Mike (April 5, 2023). "Huntington mayor eyes run for governor as 'a climb worth taking'". MetroNews. Retrieved April 6, 2023.
- Doherty, Erin (22 January 2023). "Manchin on 2024 political ambitions: "Everything is on table"". Axios. Retrieved 22 January 2023.
He did rule out running for West Virginia governor in 2024.
- "Linko-Looper seeking Mountain Party nomination for governor". The Register-Herald. 2023-05-12. Retrieved 2023-05-15.
- "2024 Governor Race ratings". The Cook Political Report. Retrieved 2023-01-13.
- "Gubernatorial Ratings". Inside Elections. Retrieved January 20, 2023.
- "2024 Gubernatorial race ratings". Sabato's Crystal Ball. Retrieved January 19, 2023.
External links
- Official campaign websites