Then-President Donald Trump campaigns with Attorney General Patrick Morrisey in August 2018 at the Charleston Convention and Conference Center during Morrisey’s run for U.S. Senate. (File Photo)

CHARLESTON — One week after securing the Republican nomination for governor of West Virginia, Attorney General Patrick Morrisey received the endorsement of former Republican President Donald Trump, the presumptive GOP nominee for president this November.

Trump posted his endorsement of Morrisey shortly after midnight Tuesday from Trump’s Truth Social platform, calling on Republicans to unite behind Morrisey in the November general election.

“Patrick has been a wonderful Attorney General, and will now be an incredible Governor who will fight tirelessly to stop Inflation, grow the Economy, restore Energy DOMINANCE, secure our Border, strengthen our Military/Vets, and protect and defend our always under siege Second Amendment,” Trump said. “Now is the time for all Republicans to unite behind Patrick Morrisey to ensure he has a tremendous Victory in November!”

Morrisey won the GOP primary for governor last Tuesday in a six-person race with 74,997 votes according to unofficial results compiled by the West Virginia Secretary of State’s Office. Morrisey carried 33% of the vote. Morrisey had nearly 13,000 more votes than former state lawmaker Moore Capito with 28%, followed by Huntington businessman Chris Miller with 20% and Secretary of State Mac Warner with 16%. Morrisey will face his Democratic opponent for governor, Huntington Mayor Steve Williams, in November.

“I’m grateful for President Trump’s endorsement and support for my campaign,” Morrisey said in a statement Tuesday. “Republicans, Independents and Democrats are rallying behind my campaign for West Virginia Governor. I’ll continue to deliver victories for all West Virginians when elected in November.”

Trump, first elected to president in 2016, served one term in office. He was defeated in 2020 by former Delaware U.S. senator and Vice President Joe Biden. Trump left office in 2021 under a cloud after declaring the 2020 election stolen, resulting in an attack by Trump supporters on the U.S. Capitol Building as lawmakers were certifying the election for Biden.

Trump is also facing multiple state and federal indictments connected to alleged election interference and stolen classified documents. He is currently on trial in New York in a hush money case involving porn star Stormy Daniels.

Despite his controversies, Trump remains a popular political figure in West Virginia, receiving 199,100 votes in last week’s primary and securing 88% of the vote. In the Democratic primary, Biden only received 67,994 votes, securing 71% of votes cast.

The only endorsement of a West Virginia candidate by Trump prior to the May 14 primary election was for Gov. Jim Justice’s U.S. Senate run against U.S. Rep. Alex Mooney, R-W.Va. Trump endorsed Justice in a social media post last year and in a video message shortly before the May 14 primary. Morrisey was endorsed in the GOP primary for governor by Trump’s son, Donald Trump Jr.

Morrisey also enjoyed Trump’s endorsement and support in Morrisey’s 2018 campaign for U.S. Senate against U.S. Sen. Joe Manchin, D-W.Va. Trump and Trump family members made several trips to West Virginia in 2018 to campaign for Morrisey and U.S. Rep. Carol Miller, R-W.Va.

“Patrick will work closely with me to enact America First Policies, and is a FANTASTIC person to replace my friend and future U.S. Senator, Jim Justice,” Trump said Tuesday. “Patrick Morrisey has my Complete and Total Endorsement – HE WILL NOT LET YOU DOWN!”