W.Va. Democratic Party poll shows voter dissatisfaction heading into November election
Trending
CHARLESTON – New polling commissioned by the West Virginia Democratic Party shows voter dissatisfaction with Republican elected officials heading into next month’s midterm general election.
The state Democratic Party released polling Friday conducted between Sept. 16 and Sept. 21 by Lake Research Partners, a Democratic-leaning polling firm based in Washington D.C. participants included 700 likely voters in West Virginia, including an oversampling of 100 likely voters in several key state Senate districts on the ballot in November. The poll has a margin of error of 4%.
According to the poll, 57% of respondents said that West Virginia is on the wrong track while 30% of respondents said they were happy with the direction the state was heading in. Of those 57% that said the state was heading the wrong direction, 51% place the blame on Republican elected officials, with 7% blaming Democrats who only hold two state Senate seats and nine House of Delegates seats.
“Republicans have complete control of state government, and West Virginians are making it clear that they don’t like the direction we’re headed,” said Del. Mike Pushkin, D-Kanawha, chairman of the West Virginia Democratic Party. “For years, Republicans have blamed everyone but themselves for the problems facing our state. But after more than a decade of Republican control of the Legislature, voters are ready to hold them accountable for their abysmal record.”
Broken down by major GOP leaders, 33% of respondents said they hold a favorable opinion of Gov. Patrick Morrisey, while 57% held an unfavorable opinion. Morrisey is nearly two years into his first four-year term as governor. Of those polled, 27% of respondents said Morrisey’s job performance during that time was excellent or good, while 68% rated his job performance as fair or poor. Of that number, 49% – nearly half – said Morrisey’s job performance was poor.
U.S. Sen. Jim Justice, the previous two-term governor who could challenge Morrisey in the 2028 Republican primary for governor, had a 40% favorability number compared to 53% who view Justice unfavorably. On job performance, 32% said it was excellent or good, while 61% rated it as fair or poor with 39% of that group rating it as poor. Justice is nearly two years into his first six-year term as West Virginia’s junior senator.
U.S. Sen. Shelley Moore Capito, who is seeking a third six-year term in the Senate, has a 41% favorable number compared to 48% who view her unfavorably. On job performance, 32% rated it as excellent or good, and 61% rated it as fair or poor. Of that, 39% rated her job performance as poor. Capito faced Democratic opponent Rachel Fetty Anderson, an attorney and former Morgantown City Council member, on the general election ballot.
President Donald Trump, who is also nearly two years into his final term, fared better, with 55% viewing Trump favorably and 44% viewing him unfavorably. On job performance, 32% rated Trump’s performance as excellent or good, with 51% rating it as fair or poor. Of that 51%, 42% of respondents rated Trump’s job performance as low.
Lake Research Partners also looked at voter enthusiasm heading into the election. Of those polled, 88% of Democrats said they were enthusiastic, with 63% saying they were extremely enthusiastic. Of Republicans, 76% said they were enthusiastic, with only 44% saying they were enthusiastic.
Tuesday, Oct. 13, is the last day to register to vote or update voter registration for the midterm election. Early voting begins Wednesday, Oct. 21, though Saturday, Oct. 31, excluding Sundays. Election Day is Tuesday, Nov. 3.
Capito’s U.S. Senate seat and the state’s two U.S. House of Representatives seats are on the ballot, as well as all 100 seats in the House of Delegates, 17 state Senate seats and two special elections for unexpired Senate terms.
The House Democratic caucus launched their second annual Kitchen Table Tour where Democratic congressional and statehouse candidates have been promoted in stops in Marion, Kanawha, Boone and Jefferson counties. Remaining stops include the Hancock County Senior Center in New Cumberland at 6 p.m. Wednesday, Oct. 14; and Wednesday, Oct. 21, in Cabell County (location to be announced).
“West Virginians are tired of watching their utility bills climb, their hospitals and their schools close, and their elected officials writing blank checks to AI data centers,” Pushkin said. “Our candidates are talking about the kitchen-table issues that matter to working families, and Democrats are energized because they know what’s at stake in November.”
Voter registration in West Virginia continues to favor Republicans, with 526,528 registered GOP voters as of the end of September, up by 1,334 voters as of the end of August, though Democratic voter registration increased by 174 voters after years of decline, taking Democratic voter registration to 326,197. Republicans make up 43.6% of the state’s 1.2 million registered voters, with Democrats making up 27%.
“The only poll that matters is the one conducted by all voters on Election Day,” said Del. Josh Holstein, R-Boone, chairman of the West Virginia Republican Party. “West Virginians know which party supports their traditional values, strong borders and national security, and West Virginia's working families. That's why they've joined the Republican Party in record numbers and that's why our Republican ticket will win once again up and down the ballot this November.”
Independent voters, those considered unaffiliated with any party, make up 25.5% of voters, or 306,746 registered voters. The May Republican primary election was closed to unaffiliated voters for the first time since the 1980s, while unaffiliated voters could still vote in the Democratic primary. Primary voters rejected two Morrisey-appointed justices of the West Virginia Supreme Court of Appeals in May special elections, also voting out Dan Greear, a member of the Intermediate Court of Appeals and well known GOP official and candidate.
“West Virginians want a government that works for them, not one that answers to corporate donors and political insiders,” Pushkin said. “This election is an opportunity to demand accountability and elect legislators who will put West Virginia families first.”