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Morrisey secures victory for West Virginia governor over Williams

WHITE SULPHUR SPRINGS – Republican Patrick Morrisey, the three-term attorney general of West Virginia, received a promotion from voters Tuesday night, securing a victory as West Virginia’s 37th governor over Democratic Huntington Mayor Steve Williams.

The Associated Press called the race for governor for Morrisey not long after the polls closed in West Virginia Tuesday night. According to unofficial election results reported to the West Virginia Secretary of State’s Office from the state’s 55 county clerks, Morrisey secure 63% of the vote by press time, with 234,053 votes in by 9:30 p.m. Tuesday. Williams carried 30% of the vote as of press time, with 112,406 votes in.

Morrisey gathered with his supporters and friends at the Martinsburg Roundhouse to watch election results come in. In live-streamed remarks, Morrisey thanked the voters and said he was eager to get to work.

“The results are coming in, and there is a landslide for West Virginia,” Morrisey said to cheers. “Tonight, you spoke loud and clear, and you delivered an incredible victory for our state and our future. This is a victory that belongs to each and every one of you.”

Morrisey was first elected attorney general in 2012 after defeating long-time Democratic Attorney General Darrell McGraw and was re-elected in 2016 and 2020. Morrisey also was the Republican nominee for U.S. Senate in 2018 but was defeated by then-Democrat Sen. Joe Manchin.

Morrisey announced his campaign for governor of West Virginia in April 2023. Since then, Morrisey has risen to the top of most polls and enjoyed support from the pro-Morrisey Black Bear PAC and the conservative advocacy group Club for Growth, which pledged to spend up to $10 million on Morrisey’s behalf.

“We had faith that through hard work and perseverance, we could achieve so much,” Morrisey said. “I am committed to serving each and every single West Virginian…I’m going to stand by you.

“To every West Virginian who can hear me tonight: I see you, I hear you, and I’m no different than any of you,” Morrisey said. “You deserve respect and dignity and a path for a better life. I’m going to help you find that. I will fight to protect your freedoms and eliminate all the barriers where you have the government standing in your way.”

Tennessee Governor Bill Lee, chairman of the Republican Governors Association, released a statement Tuesday night congratulating Morrisey on his win.

“Governor-Elect Patrick Morrisey has proven himself as a relentless defender of West Virginia’s conservative values and a national leader in the fight against the Biden Administration,” Lee said. “His unmatched record, from securing one of the largest victories against the deep state in the WV v. EPA case to bringing over $1 billion in opioid settlements to fight the drug epidemic is a testament to his commitment to fighting for West Virginians.”

Williams is in his third four-year term as the mayor of Huntington. First elected in 2012, Williams is the first Huntington mayor to serve three terms, with this being his final term due to term limits. He was unopposed in the Democratic primary in May. In an email Monday, Williams and his wife Mary thanked their supporters.

“I want to thank each of you for the most enjoyable experience I have ever had in my professional and political life. Mary and I have been blessed beyond measure,” Williams said. “Every visit has shown me hope, love, and inspiration in every meeting. We are advocating hope, inspiration, and compassion. Whatever results are announced…we know that we have the future of our state in our hands.”

Morrisey said Williams called him Tuesday night after the election was called to concede the election and congratulate Morrisey.

“Steve was a gentleman,” Morrisey said Tuesday night. “He’s a friend. I want to thank him for his 12 years of service as mayor and for all his contributions to the state.”

Steven Allen Adams can be reached at sadams@newsandsentinel.com

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