West Virginia gubernatorial election, 2024
← 2020
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Governor of West Virginia |
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Democratic primary Republican primary General election |
Election details |
Filing deadline: January 27, 2024 |
Primary: May 14, 2024 General: November 5, 2024 Pre-election incumbent(s): Jim Justice (R) |
How to vote |
Poll times: 6:30 a.m. to 7:30 p.m. Voting in West Virginia |
Race ratings |
Sabato's Crystal Ball: Safe Republican Inside Elections: Solid Republican |
Ballotpedia analysis |
Federal and state primary competitiveness State executive elections in 2024 Impact of term limits in 2024 State government trifectas State government triplexes Ballotpedia's Election Analysis Hub, 2024 |
West Virginia executive elections |
Governor Attorney General |
West Virginia is holding an election for governor on November 5, 2024. The primary was May 14, 2024. The filing deadline was January 27, 2024.
This is one of 11 gubernatorial elections taking place in 2024. The governor serves as a state's top executive official and is the only executive office elected in all 50 states. There are currently 27 Republican governors and 23 Democratic governors. Click here for an overview of all 11 gubernatorial elections taking place in 2024.
Heading into the 2024 elections, there are 23 Republican trifectas, 17 Democratic trifectas, and 10 divided governments where neither party holds trifecta control. There are 25 Republican triplexes, 20 Democratic triplexes, and five divided governments where neither party holds triplex control.
A state government trifecta refers to a situation where one party controls a state's governorship and majorities in both chambers of the state legislature. A state government triplex refers to a situation where the governor, attorney general, and secretary of state are all members of the same political party.
Ballotpedia identified the May 14 Republican primary as a battleground primary. For more on the Republican primary, click here.
For more information about the primaries in this election, click on the links below:
- West Virginia gubernatorial election, 2024 (May 14 Democratic primary)
- West Virginia gubernatorial election, 2024 (May 14 Republican primary)
Candidates and election results
General election
General election for Governor of West Virginia
Steve Williams, Patrick Morrisey, S. Marshall Wilson, Erika Kolenich, and Chase Linko-Looper are running in the general election for Governor of West Virginia on November 5, 2024.
Candidate | ||
![]() | Steve Williams (D) ![]() | |
![]() | Patrick Morrisey (R) | |
![]() | S. Marshall Wilson (Constitution Party) | |
![]() | Erika Kolenich (L) ![]() | |
![]() | Chase Linko-Looper (Mountain Party) ![]() |
![]() | ||||
If you are a candidate and would like to tell readers and voters more about why they should vote for you, complete the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection Survey. | ||||
Do you want a spreadsheet of this type of data? Contact our sales team. |
Democratic primary election
Democratic primary for Governor of West Virginia
Steve Williams advanced from the Democratic primary for Governor of West Virginia on May 14, 2024.
Candidate | % | Votes | ||
✔ | ![]() | Steve Williams ![]() | 100.0 | 89,576 |
Total votes: 89,576 | ||||
![]() | ||||
If you are a candidate and would like to tell readers and voters more about why they should vote for you, complete the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection Survey. | ||||
Do you want a spreadsheet of this type of data? Contact our sales team. |
Republican primary election
Republican primary for Governor of West Virginia
The following candidates ran in the Republican primary for Governor of West Virginia on May 14, 2024.
Candidate | % | Votes | ||
✔ | ![]() | Patrick Morrisey | 33.3 | 75,146 |
![]() | Moore Capito | 27.5 | 62,224 | |
![]() | Chris Miller | 20.4 | 46,062 | |
![]() | Mac Warner | 16.0 | 36,199 | |
![]() | Mitch Roberts | 1.4 | 3,142 | |
![]() | Kevin Christian ![]() | 1.4 | 3,093 |
Total votes: 225,866 | ||||
![]() | ||||
If you are a candidate and would like to tell readers and voters more about why they should vote for you, complete the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection Survey. | ||||
Do you want a spreadsheet of this type of data? Contact our sales team. |
Withdrawn or disqualified candidates
- Rashida Yost (R)
- John B. McCuskey (R)
Mountain Party primary election
Mountain Party primary for Governor of West Virginia
Chase Linko-Looper advanced from the Mountain Party primary for Governor of West Virginia on May 14, 2024.
Candidate | % | Votes | ||
✔ | ![]() | Chase Linko-Looper ![]() | 100.0 | 382 |
Total votes: 382 | ||||
![]() | ||||
If you are a candidate and would like to tell readers and voters more about why they should vote for you, complete the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection Survey. | ||||
Do you want a spreadsheet of this type of data? Contact our sales team. |
Candidate profiles
This section includes candidate profiles that may be created in one of two ways: either the candidate completed Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection survey, or Ballotpedia staff may compile a profile based on campaign websites, advertisements, and public statements after identifying the candidate as noteworthy. For more on how we select candidates to include, click here.
Party: Democratic Party
Incumbent: No
Political Office: None
Submitted Biography: "My name is Steve Williams. I am the unopposed Democratic candidate for Governor of the State of West Virginia. I am a native West Virginia. I was born in Bluefield, WV and grew up through age 16 in Athens, WV. My father was head football coach at Concord University. My mother was an early childhood elementary school teacher. My dad grew up in McDowell County and my mother grew up in Mercer County. Both of my grandfathers were coal miners. When my dad quit coaching at Concord he went to Virginia Tech to get his doctorate degree and upon completion he was offered a job to be a professor at Marshall University. At age 16 my family moved to Huntington. I graduated from Huntington High School and was offered a football scholarship at Marshall University. I was a member of the Young Thundering Herd which followed the tragic plane crash that killed the Marshall football team, staff, and boosters. Upon graduating with honors from Marshall, I attended West Virginia University and received a Masters Degree. My professional life has included being a Director of the Putnam County Development Authority, Director of Economic Development and City Manager of the City of Huntington. I served 4 terms in the WV House of Delegates, In 2008 I was elected to Huntington City Council and in 2012 I was elected Mayor of Huntington. I am the only three term mayor ever elected in the City of Huntington. I am running for Governor because our success in Huntington can be instructive for the state."
Party: Republican Party
Incumbent: No
Political Office: Attorney General of West Virginia (2013-present)
Biography: Morrisey earned a B.A. from Rutgers College-New Brunswick and a J.D. from Rutgers University-Newark. His professional experience includes working in healthcare and regulatory policy. He was a deputy staff director and chief healthcare counsel for the House of Representatives Energy and Commerce Committee. He was the principal liaison for the committee on healthcare issues to the White House, the U.S. Senate, the House of Representatives, the Department of Health and Human Services, and the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid services.
Show sources
Party: Libertarian Party
Incumbent: No
Political Office: None
Submitted Biography: "Erika is a resident of Upshur County where she lives with her husband, Karl. Their daughter, Iris, is a graduate of West Virginia Wesleyan College and resides in Clarksburg. Erika was raised in West Virginia, the daughter of small business owners. Her parents taught her work ethic and personal responsibility at an early age. Erika graduated from Buckhannon-Upshur High School in 1997. While attending high school, she was a member of the band and frequently participated in extracurricular events such as theatre and Youth in Government. Upon graduating high school, Erika attended West Virginia Wesleyan College where she double majored in Dramatic Arts and Political Science. She then attended law school at the University of Akron. After passing both the Ohio and West Virginia bar exams, Erika returned to West Virginia and began practicing law at a litigation firm in Wheeling. Shortly thereafter, she made the jump to open her own practice in Upshur County. Erika is now the managing member of Klie Law Offices, PLLC. The firm that she now runs with her husband has three locations and employees thirty people. Erika enjoys volunteering for a variety of community and civic organizations from theatre to Head Start and the Chamber of Commerce. In her free time Erika enjoys physical activity and hiking the mountains of West Virginia with her family and their dog. She also enjoys traveling but has always found that nothing feels better than returning home to West Vi"
Party: Mountain Party
Incumbent: No
Political Office: None
Submitted Biography: "My name is Chase Linko-Looper. I am a Mountain Party candidate for Governor of West Virginia in the 2024 election. I am a disabled combat veteran who served over nine years in the U.S. Army with a tour in Afghanistan. I am also an activist who wants to protect the environment, end the wqar on drugs, and create a more just and sustainable society. If elected, I will be the youngest Governor in the state's history at 30 years old."
Voting information
- See also: Voting in West Virginia
General election race ratings
- See also: Race rating definitions and methods
Ballotpedia provides race ratings from four outlets: The Cook Political Report, Inside Elections, Sabato's Crystal Ball, and DDHQ/The Hill. Each race rating indicates if one party is perceived to have an advantage in the race and, if so, the degree of advantage:
- Safe and Solid ratings indicate that one party has a clear edge and the race is not competitive.
- Likely ratings indicate that one party has a clear edge, but an upset is possible.
- Lean ratings indicate that one party has a small edge, but the race is competitive.[1]
- Toss-up ratings indicate that neither party has an advantage.
Race ratings are informed by a number of factors, including polling, candidate quality, and election result history in the race's district or state.[2][3][4]
Race ratings: West Virginia gubernatorial election, 2024 | |||||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Race tracker | Race ratings | ||||||||
September 3, 2024 | August 27, 2024 | August 20, 2024 | August 13, 2024 | ||||||
The Cook Political Report with Amy Walter | Solid Republican | Solid Republican | Solid Republican | Solid Republican | |||||
Inside Elections with Nathan L. Gonzales | Solid Republican | Solid Republican | Solid Republican | Solid Republican | |||||
Larry J. Sabato's Crystal Ball | Safe Republican | Safe Republican | Safe Republican | Safe Republican | |||||
Note: Ballotpedia reviews external race ratings every week throughout the election season and posts weekly updates even if the media outlets have not revised their ratings during that week. |
Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection survey responses
Ballotpedia asks all federal, state, and local candidates to complete a survey and share what motivates them on political and personal levels. The section below shows responses from candidates in this race who completed Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection survey. Candidates are asked three required questions for this survey, but they may answer additional optional questions as well.
Survey responses from candidates in this race
Click on a candidate's name to visit their Ballotpedia page.
Note: Ballotpedia reserves the right to edit Candidate Connection survey responses. Any edits made by Ballotpedia will be clearly marked with [brackets] for the public. If the candidate disagrees with an edit, he or she may request the full removal of the survey response from Ballotpedia.org. Ballotpedia does not edit or correct typographical errors unless the candidate's campaign requests it.
Collapse all
|![Image of https://s3.amazonaws.com/ballotpedia-api4/files/thumbs/100/100/ErikaKolenich2024.jpg](https://s3.amazonaws.com/ballotpedia-api4/files/thumbs/100/100/ErikaKolenich2024.jpg)
Erika Kolenich (L)
One of the biggest problems we face today is that many things that should not be considered crimes are labeled as crimes. Worse yet, many of these non-violent actions are punished more harshly than are violent crimes. Only actions that involve force or fraud
should be labeled as “crimes”. Such crimes should
be prosecuted and punished by our justice system but that actions that don't involve force or fraud should not be criminalized or penalized in the first place. Further, the "State of Emergency" and the resulting lawsuits in our jails is unacceptable.West Virginia's most important resource is our children. Education of our children is the cornerstone to our society. Parents and teachers are in the best position to determine the needs of our students. We must give teachers the ability to use their degrees in the classroom. Parents must have the full choice to determine which education is the best for their child and their family. Whether, this means public school, home school, a charter school, a private school or a co-op; the only job of the government should not stand in the way of education.
![Image of https://s3.amazonaws.com/ballotpedia-api4/files/thumbs/100/100/ChaseLinkoLooper2023.jpg](https://s3.amazonaws.com/ballotpedia-api4/files/thumbs/100/100/ChaseLinkoLooper2023.jpg)
Chase Linko-Looper (Mountain)
I am a disabled combat veteran who served in Afghanistan and wants to support other veterans and their families.
I am an activist who wants to protect the environment, end the drug war, and create a more just and sustainable society.
![Image of https://s3.amazonaws.com/ballotpedia-api4/files/thumbs/100/100/Steve_Williams.jpeg](https://s3.amazonaws.com/ballotpedia-api4/files/thumbs/100/100/Steve_Williams.jpeg)
Steve Williams (D)
We will set standards that the rest of the nation will seek to emulate.
We must expect more out of ourselves. We can compete with anyone in the world. In order to compete and to be a top producing state we have to be aggressive in our aspirations and again expect to set standards that the rest of the nation will seek to follow. We create unimaginable success by being collaborative and placing aside political parties and insist on results. My mantra is "Make No Little Plans". We need to challenge ourselves to make a difference in each other's lives.
![Image of https://s3.amazonaws.com/ballotpedia-api4/files/thumbs/100/100/ErikaKolenich2024.jpg](https://s3.amazonaws.com/ballotpedia-api4/files/thumbs/100/100/ErikaKolenich2024.jpg)
Erika Kolenich (L)
Criminal Justice Issues
Taxation![Image of https://s3.amazonaws.com/ballotpedia-api4/files/thumbs/100/100/ChaseLinkoLooper2023.jpg](https://s3.amazonaws.com/ballotpedia-api4/files/thumbs/100/100/ChaseLinkoLooper2023.jpg)
Chase Linko-Looper (Mountain)
![Image of https://s3.amazonaws.com/ballotpedia-api4/files/thumbs/100/100/Steve_Williams.jpeg](https://s3.amazonaws.com/ballotpedia-api4/files/thumbs/100/100/Steve_Williams.jpeg)
Steve Williams (D)
![Image of https://s3.amazonaws.com/ballotpedia-api4/files/thumbs/100/100/Steve_Williams.jpeg](https://s3.amazonaws.com/ballotpedia-api4/files/thumbs/100/100/Steve_Williams.jpeg)
Steve Williams (D)
If I am elected Governor, I will be standing on the shoulders of Everett Taylor who became a coal miner at the age of 8.
The American Dream lives.![Image of https://s3.amazonaws.com/ballotpedia-api4/files/thumbs/100/100/Steve_Williams.jpeg](https://s3.amazonaws.com/ballotpedia-api4/files/thumbs/100/100/Steve_Williams.jpeg)
Steve Williams (D)
![Image of https://s3.amazonaws.com/ballotpedia-api4/files/thumbs/100/100/ErikaKolenich2024.jpg](https://s3.amazonaws.com/ballotpedia-api4/files/thumbs/100/100/ErikaKolenich2024.jpg)
Erika Kolenich (L)
Transparency
![Image of https://s3.amazonaws.com/ballotpedia-api4/files/thumbs/100/100/Steve_Williams.jpeg](https://s3.amazonaws.com/ballotpedia-api4/files/thumbs/100/100/Steve_Williams.jpeg)
Steve Williams (D)
![Image of https://s3.amazonaws.com/ballotpedia-api4/files/thumbs/100/100/Steve_Williams.jpeg](https://s3.amazonaws.com/ballotpedia-api4/files/thumbs/100/100/Steve_Williams.jpeg)
Steve Williams (D)
![Image of https://s3.amazonaws.com/ballotpedia-api4/files/thumbs/100/100/Steve_Williams.jpeg](https://s3.amazonaws.com/ballotpedia-api4/files/thumbs/100/100/Steve_Williams.jpeg)
Steve Williams (D)
Set a vision, articulate the vision and build consensus towards accomplishing that vision.
The next Governor will face a challenge that will be unexpected. At that moment the Governor has to name the problem and then claim ownership of the problem.![Image of https://s3.amazonaws.com/ballotpedia-api4/files/thumbs/100/100/Steve_Williams.jpeg](https://s3.amazonaws.com/ballotpedia-api4/files/thumbs/100/100/Steve_Williams.jpeg)
Steve Williams (D)
![Image of https://s3.amazonaws.com/ballotpedia-api4/files/thumbs/100/100/ErikaKolenich2024.jpg](https://s3.amazonaws.com/ballotpedia-api4/files/thumbs/100/100/ErikaKolenich2024.jpg)
Erika Kolenich (L)
![Image of https://s3.amazonaws.com/ballotpedia-api4/files/thumbs/100/100/Steve_Williams.jpeg](https://s3.amazonaws.com/ballotpedia-api4/files/thumbs/100/100/Steve_Williams.jpeg)
Steve Williams (D)
![Image of https://s3.amazonaws.com/ballotpedia-api4/files/thumbs/100/100/ErikaKolenich2024.jpg](https://s3.amazonaws.com/ballotpedia-api4/files/thumbs/100/100/ErikaKolenich2024.jpg)
Erika Kolenich (L)
![Image of https://s3.amazonaws.com/ballotpedia-api4/files/thumbs/100/100/Steve_Williams.jpeg](https://s3.amazonaws.com/ballotpedia-api4/files/thumbs/100/100/Steve_Williams.jpeg)
Steve Williams (D)
![Image of https://s3.amazonaws.com/ballotpedia-api4/files/thumbs/100/100/Steve_Williams.jpeg](https://s3.amazonaws.com/ballotpedia-api4/files/thumbs/100/100/Steve_Williams.jpeg)
Steve Williams (D)
It doesn't address financial health. Hill indicates there is a secret formula success found throughout the pages of the book, but it is not explicitly stated. I had to read the book three times until I found "secret"!
I won't say what the "secret" is...but it is found within the title. I have been guided by this book and its secret through celebrations and through personal trials.![Image of https://s3.amazonaws.com/ballotpedia-api4/files/thumbs/100/100/Steve_Williams.jpeg](https://s3.amazonaws.com/ballotpedia-api4/files/thumbs/100/100/Steve_Williams.jpeg)
Steve Williams (D)
![Image of https://s3.amazonaws.com/ballotpedia-api4/files/thumbs/100/100/Steve_Williams.jpeg](https://s3.amazonaws.com/ballotpedia-api4/files/thumbs/100/100/Steve_Williams.jpeg)
Steve Williams (D)
The Governor must be decisive and not be fearful of making the wrong decision. That's ok. Name it. Own it. Adjust.
People will follow a leader when the leader demonstrates that movement is occurring.![Image of https://s3.amazonaws.com/ballotpedia-api4/files/thumbs/100/100/Steve_Williams.jpeg](https://s3.amazonaws.com/ballotpedia-api4/files/thumbs/100/100/Steve_Williams.jpeg)
Steve Williams (D)
![Image of https://s3.amazonaws.com/ballotpedia-api4/files/thumbs/100/100/Steve_Williams.jpeg](https://s3.amazonaws.com/ballotpedia-api4/files/thumbs/100/100/Steve_Williams.jpeg)
Steve Williams (D)
![Image of https://s3.amazonaws.com/ballotpedia-api4/files/thumbs/100/100/Steve_Williams.jpeg](https://s3.amazonaws.com/ballotpedia-api4/files/thumbs/100/100/Steve_Williams.jpeg)
Steve Williams (D)
![Image of https://s3.amazonaws.com/ballotpedia-api4/files/thumbs/100/100/Steve_Williams.jpeg](https://s3.amazonaws.com/ballotpedia-api4/files/thumbs/100/100/Steve_Williams.jpeg)
Steve Williams (D)
![Image of https://s3.amazonaws.com/ballotpedia-api4/files/thumbs/100/100/Steve_Williams.jpeg](https://s3.amazonaws.com/ballotpedia-api4/files/thumbs/100/100/Steve_Williams.jpeg)
Steve Williams (D)
![Image of https://s3.amazonaws.com/ballotpedia-api4/files/thumbs/100/100/Steve_Williams.jpeg](https://s3.amazonaws.com/ballotpedia-api4/files/thumbs/100/100/Steve_Williams.jpeg)
Steve Williams (D)
![Image of https://s3.amazonaws.com/ballotpedia-api4/files/thumbs/100/100/Steve_Williams.jpeg](https://s3.amazonaws.com/ballotpedia-api4/files/thumbs/100/100/Steve_Williams.jpeg)
Steve Williams (D)
![Image of https://s3.amazonaws.com/ballotpedia-api4/files/thumbs/100/100/Steve_Williams.jpeg](https://s3.amazonaws.com/ballotpedia-api4/files/thumbs/100/100/Steve_Williams.jpeg)
Steve Williams (D)
You can ask candidates in this race to fill out the survey by clicking their names below:
Past elections
The section below details election results for this office in elections dating back to 2012.
2020
General election
General election for Governor of West Virginia
The following candidates ran in the general election for Governor of West Virginia on November 3, 2020.
Candidate | % | Votes | ||
✔ | ![]() | Jim Justice (R) | 63.5 | 497,944 |
![]() | Ben Salango (D) | 30.2 | 237,024 | |
![]() | Erika Kolenich (L) ![]() | 2.9 | 22,527 | |
![]() | S. Marshall Wilson (Independent) (Write-in) | 1.9 | 15,120 | |
![]() | Daniel Lutz Jr. (Mountain Party) | 1.4 | 11,309 | |
![]() | Michael Folk (Independent) (Write-in) | 0.0 | 199 | |
![]() | Mitch Roberts (Independent) (Write-in) | 0.0 | 152 | |
![]() | Quintin Gerard Caldwell (Independent) (Write-in) | 0.0 | 6 | |
![]() | Kimberly Gross (Independent) (Write-in) | 0.0 | 6 |
Total votes: 784,287 | ||||
![]() | ||||
If you are a candidate and would like to tell readers and voters more about why they should vote for you, complete the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection Survey. | ||||
Do you want a spreadsheet of this type of data? Contact our sales team. |
Withdrawn or disqualified candidates
- David Sartin (Independent)
- Larry Trent (Constitution Party)
Democratic primary election
Democratic primary for Governor of West Virginia
Ben Salango defeated Stephen Smith, Ron Stollings, Jody Murphy, and Douglas Hughes in the Democratic primary for Governor of West Virginia on June 9, 2020.
Candidate | % | Votes | ||
✔ | ![]() | Ben Salango | 38.7 | 74,554 |
![]() | Stephen Smith ![]() | 33.8 | 65,056 | |
![]() | Ron Stollings | 13.3 | 25,686 | |
![]() | Jody Murphy | 9.3 | 17,968 | |
![]() | Douglas Hughes | 4.8 | 9,201 |
Total votes: 192,465 | ||||
![]() | ||||
If you are a candidate and would like to tell readers and voters more about why they should vote for you, complete the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection Survey. | ||||
Do you want a spreadsheet of this type of data? Contact our sales team. |
Withdrawn or disqualified candidates
- Cecil Silva (D)
- Edwin Ray Vanover (D)
Republican primary election
Republican primary for Governor of West Virginia
The following candidates ran in the Republican primary for Governor of West Virginia on June 9, 2020.
Candidate | % | Votes | ||
✔ | ![]() | Jim Justice | 62.8 | 133,026 |
![]() | H. Woody Thrasher | 18.3 | 38,796 | |
![]() | Michael Folk | 12.5 | 26,461 | |
![]() | Doug Six ![]() | 2.1 | 4,419 | |
![]() | Larry Brooke Lunsford | 1.8 | 3,844 | |
![]() | Shelby Fitzhugh | 1.3 | 2,762 | |
![]() | Charles Sheedy ![]() | 1.2 | 2,535 |
Total votes: 211,843 | ||||
![]() | ||||
If you are a candidate and would like to tell readers and voters more about why they should vote for you, complete the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection Survey. | ||||
Do you want a spreadsheet of this type of data? Contact our sales team. |
Withdrawn or disqualified candidates
Libertarian convention
Libertarian convention for Governor of West Virginia
Erika Kolenich advanced from the Libertarian convention for Governor of West Virginia on April 8, 2020.
Candidate | ||
✔ | ![]() | Erika Kolenich (L) ![]() |
![]() | ||||
If you are a candidate and would like to tell readers and voters more about why they should vote for you, complete the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection Survey. | ||||
Do you want a spreadsheet of this type of data? Contact our sales team. |
Mountain Party convention
Mountain Party convention for Governor of West Virginia
Daniel Lutz Jr. advanced from the Mountain Party convention for Governor of West Virginia on June 20, 2020.
Candidate | ||
✔ | ![]() | Daniel Lutz Jr. (Mountain Party) |
![]() | ||||
If you are a candidate and would like to tell readers and voters more about why they should vote for you, complete the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection Survey. | ||||
Do you want a spreadsheet of this type of data? Contact our sales team. |
2016
The general election for governor was held on November 8, 2016.
Jim Justice defeated Bill Cole, Charlotte Jean Pritt, David Moran, and Phil Hudok in the West Virginia governor election.
West Virginia Governor, 2016 | ||||
---|---|---|---|---|
Party | Candidate | Vote % | Votes | |
Democratic | ![]() |
49.09% | 350,408 | |
Republican | Bill Cole | 42.30% | 301,987 | |
Mountain Party | Charlotte Jean Pritt | 5.89% | 42,068 | |
Libertarian | David Moran | 2.15% | 15,354 | |
Constitution Party | Phil Hudok | 0.57% | 4,041 | |
Total Votes | 713,858 | |||
Source: West Virginia Secretary of State |
2012
Incumbent Earl Ray Tomblin (D) defeated challengers Bill Maloney (R), Jesse Johnson (M), David Moran (L) and several write-in candidates in the November 6, 2012 general election.
Governor of West Virginia General Election, 2012 | ||||
---|---|---|---|---|
Party | Candidate | Vote % | Votes | |
Democratic | ![]() |
50.4% | 284,758 | |
Republican | Bill Maloney | 45.7% | 258,376 | |
Mountain | Jesse Johnson | 2.6% | 14,614 | |
Libertarian | David Moran | 1.4% | 7,653 | |
Total Votes | 565,401 | |||
Election results via West Virginia Secretary of State Election Results Center |
Ballot access
The table below details filing requirements for gubernatorial candidates in West Virginia in the 2024 election cycle. For additional information on candidate ballot access requirements in West Virginia, click here.
Filing requirements for gubernatorial candidates, 2024 | ||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
State | Office | Signatures required | Filing fee | Filing deadline | Source | Qualifications |
West Virginia | Governor | K.A. | $500.00 | 1/27/2024 | Source | Must be a citizen of the United States. Must be a resident of West Virginia for at least five years preceding the election. Must be a duly qualified elector of West Virginia. Must be at least 30 years old. |
Election analysis
Click the tabs below to view information about demographics, past elections, and partisan control of the state.
- Presidential elections - Information about presidential elections in the state.
- Statewide elections - Information about recent U.S. Senate and gubernatorial elections in the state.
- State partisanship - The partisan makeup of the state's congressional delegation and state government.
- Demographics - Information about the state's demographics and how they compare to the country as a whole.
Cook PVI by congressional district
Cook Political Report's Partisan Voter Index for West Virginia, 2024 | |||
---|---|---|---|
District | Incumbent | Party | PVI |
West Virginia's 1st | Carol Miller | ![]() |
R+23 |
West Virginia's 2nd | Alexander Mooney | ![]() |
R+22 |
2020 presidential results by 2024 congressional district lines
2020 presidential results in congressional districts based on 2024 district lines, West Virginia[5] | ||||
---|---|---|---|---|
District | Joe Biden ![]() |
Donald Trump ![]() | ||
West Virginia's 1st | 28.8% | 69.7% | ||
West Virginia's 2nd | 30.6% | 67.6% |
2012-2020
How a state's counties vote in a presidential election and the size of those counties can provide additional insights into election outcomes at other levels of government including statewide and congressional races. Below, four categories are used to describe each county's voting pattern over the 2012, 2016, and 2020 presidential elections: Solid, Trending, Battleground, and New. Click [show] on the table below for examples:
County-level voting pattern categories | |||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Democratic | |||||||
Status | 2012 | 2016 | 2020 | ||||
Solid Democratic | D | D | D | ||||
Trending Democratic | R | D | D | ||||
Battleground Democratic | D | R | D | ||||
New Democratic | R | R | D | ||||
Republican | |||||||
Status | 2012 | 2016 | 2020 | ||||
Solid Republican | R | R | R | ||||
Trending Republican | D | R | R | ||||
Battleground Republican | R | D | R | ||||
New Republican | D | D | R |
Following the 2020 presidential election, 100.0% of West Virginians lived in one of the state's 55 Solid Republican counties, which voted for the Republican presidential candidate in every election from 2012 to 2020. Overall, West Virginia was Solid Republican, having voted for Mitt Romney (R) in 2012, Donald Trump (R) in 2016, and Donald Trump (R) in 2020. Use the table below to view the total number of each type of county in West Virginia following the 2020 election as well as the overall percentage of the state population located in each county type.
West Virginia county-level statistics, 2020 | |||||||
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Solid Republican | 55 | 100.0% | |||||
Total voted Democratic | 0 | 0.0% | |||||
Total voted Republican | 55 | 100.0% |
Historical voting trends
West Virginia presidential election results (1900-2020)
- 15 Democratic wins
- 16 Republican wins
Year | 1900 | 1904 | 1908 | 1912 | 1916 | 1920 | 1924 | 1928 | 1932 | 1936 | 1940 | 1944 | 1948 | 1952 | 1956 | 1960 | 1964 | 1968 | 1972 | 1976 | 1980 | 1984 | 1988 | 1992 | 1996 | 2000 | 2004 | 2008 | 2012 | 2016 | 2020 |
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Winning Party | R | R | R | D | R | R | R | R | D | D | D | D | D | D | R | D | D | D | R | D | D | R | D | D | D | R | R | R | R | R | R |
This section details the results of the five most recent U.S. Senate and gubernatorial elections held in the state.
U.S. Senate elections
The table below details the vote in the five most recent U.S. Senate races in West Virginia.
U.S. Senate election results in West Virginia | ||
---|---|---|
Race | Winner | Runner up |
2020 | 70.3%![]() |
27.0%![]() |
2018 | 49.6%![]() |
46.3%![]() |
2014 | 62.1%![]() |
34.5%![]() |
2012 | 60.8%![]() |
36.5%![]() |
2010 | 53.5%![]() |
43.4%![]() |
Average | 59.3 | 37.5 |
Gubernatorial elections
- See also: Governor of West Virginia
The table below details the vote in the five most recent gubernatorial elections in West Virginia.
Gubernatorial election results in West Virginia | ||
---|---|---|
Race | Winner | Runner up |
2020 | 63.5%![]() |
30.2%![]() |
2016 | 49.1%![]() |
42.3%![]() |
2012 | 50.5%![]() |
45.7%![]() |
2011 | 49.6%![]() |
47.1%![]() |
2008 | 69.8%![]() |
25.7%![]() |
Average | 56.5 | 38.2 |
Congressional delegation
The table below displays the partisan composition of West Virginia's congressional delegation as of May 2024.
Congressional Partisan Breakdown from West Virginia | |||
---|---|---|---|
Party | U.S. Senate | U.S. House | Total |
Democratic | 0 | 0 | 0 |
Republican | 1 | 2 | 3 |
Independent | 1 | 0 | 1 |
Vacancies | 0 | 0 | 0 |
Total | 2 | 2 | 4 |
State executive
The table below displays the officeholders in West Virginia's top three state executive offices as of May 2024.
State executive officials in West Virginia, May 2024 | |
---|---|
Office | Officeholder |
Governor | ![]() |
Secretary of State | ![]() |
Attorney General | ![]() |
State legislature
West Virginia State Senate
Party | As of February 2024 | |
---|---|---|
Democratic Party | 3 | |
Republican Party | 31 | |
Other | 0 | |
Vacancies | 0 | |
Total | 34 |
West Virginia House of Delegates
Party | As of February 2024 | |
---|---|---|
Democratic Party | 11 | |
Republican Party | 89 | |
Independent | 0 | |
Other | 0 | |
Vacancies | 0 | |
Total | 100 |
Trifecta control
The table below shows the state's trifecta status from 1992 until 2024.
West Virginia Party Control: 1992-2024
Nineteen years of Democratic trifectas • Seven years of Republican trifectas
Year | 92 | 93 | 94 | 95 | 96 | 97 | 98 | 99 | 00 | 01 | 02 | 03 | 04 | 05 | 06 | 07 | 08 | 09 | 10 | 11 | 12 | 13 | 14 | 15 | 16 | 17 | 18 | 19 | 20 | 21 | 22 | 23 | 24 |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Governor | D | D | D | D | D | R | R | R | R | D | D | D | D | D | D | D | D | D | D | D | D | D | D | D | D | D[6] | R | R | R | R | R | R | R |
Senate | D | D | D | D | D | D | D | D | D | D | D | D | D | D | D | D | D | D | D | D | D | D | D | R | R | R | R | R | R | R | R | R | R |
House | D | D | D | D | D | D | D | D | D | D | D | D | D | D | D | D | D | D | D | D | D | D | D | R | R | R | R | R | R | R | R | R | R |
The table below details demographic data in West Virginia and compares it to the broader United States as of 2022.
Demographic Data for West Virginia | ||
---|---|---|
West Virginia | Vereinigte Staaten | |
Population | 1,793,716 | 331,449,281 |
Land area (sq mi) | 24,041 | 3,531,905 |
Race and ethnicity** | ||
White | 91.4% | 65.9% |
Black/African American | 3.4% | 12.5% |
Asian | 0.8% | 5.8% |
Native American | 0.1% | 0.8% |
Pacific Islander | 0% | 0.2% |
Two or more | 3.7% | 8.8% |
Hispanic/Latino | 1.8% | 18.7% |
Bildung | ||
High school graduation rate | 88.4% | 89.1% |
College graduation rate | 22.7% | 34.3% |
Income | ||
Median household income | $55,217 | $75,149 |
Persons below poverty level | 11.9% | 8.8% |
Source: population provided by U.S. Census Bureau, "Decennial Census" (2020). Other figures provided by U.S. Census Bureau, "American Community Survey" (5-year estimates 2017-2022). | ||
**Note: Percentages for race and ethnicity may add up to more than 100 percent because respondents may report more than one race and the Hispanic/Latino ethnicity may be selected in conjunction with any race. Read more about race and ethnicity in the census here. |
See also
West Virginia | State Executive Elections | News and Analysis |
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External links
Footnotes
- ↑ Inside Elections also uses Tilt ratings to indicate an even smaller advantage and greater competitiveness.
- ↑ Amee LaTour, "Email correspondence with Nathan Gonzalez," April 19, 2018
- ↑ Amee LaTour, "Email correspondence with Kyle Kondik," April 19, 2018
- ↑ Amee LaTour, "Email correspondence with Charlie Cook," April 22, 2018
- ↑ Daily Kos, "Daily Kos Elections' presidential results by congressional district for 2020, 2016, and 2012," accessed December 15, 2023
- ↑ Gov. Jim Justice switched his registration to Republican on August 4, 2017.
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