By Tom Markland, The Journal
MARTINSBURG, W.Va. – As of press time on Election night, West Virginia Attorney General Patrick Morrisey was leading his Democratic opponent, Huntington Mayor Steve Williams, with 62.5% of the vote to Williams’ 31%. The Associated Press and other news outlets have projected Morrisey as the winner.
Morrisey will serve a four-year term, ending in 2028. He’ll take over for Gov. Jim Justice, who served as governor since 2017 and defeated Democrat Glenn Elliott for the U.S. Senate seat.
Also in the race were S. Marshall Wilson of the Mountain Party, who received 1.8%, Erika Kolenich, of the Libertarian Party, who received 3%, and Chase Linko-Looper, who received 1.1% as of press time.
Earlier this year, Morrisey defeated former state lawmaker Moore Capito for the Republican nomination with 68,000 (33%) votes to Capito’s 58,000 (28%) votes.
Morrisey has served as attorney general since 2013. When he was elected in 2012, he became the first Republican to serve in the role since 1933. He previously ran for U.S. Senate in 2018 but lost to incumbent Sen. Joe Manchin, then a Democrat, who has since switched to an independent and decided not to run for reelection.
