–This was a busy Primary Election. Voters reported long waits at some precincts and a number of precincts had to remain open well past the scheduled 7:30 poll closing so everyone waiting in line could get a chance to vote. The heavy turnout slowed vote counting in some counties.
–Exit polling shows Donald Trump has strong support across nearly all demographic categories in the state, and that support likely contributed to the heavy turnout. Seventy-four percent of people who voted a Republican ballot said they are excited or optimistic about Trump.
–The Trump campaign’s creation of a “slate” of delegates loyal to Trump proved effective. Organizer Mike Stuart says unofficially Republican voters elected 31 delegates who are pledged to Trump. The party chairman, committeeman and committee woman are also expected to back Trump, giving him all 34 delegates.
–Much of Trump’s support here has very little to do with party loyalty. In fact, exit polling shows 49 percent of those who voted a Republican ballot yesterday say they feel betrayed by their party.
–Trump has a decided advantage over Hillary Clinton in the General Election. Bernie Sanders beat Clinton by double-digits here yesterday and 35 percent of those who voted a Democratic ballot say they will vote for Trump over Clinton in November.
–Clinton’s campaign stop in Williamson to try to assuage coal miners and their families who are angry over her statement about putting coal miners and companies out of business (which she has apologized for) didn’t help much. Sanders finished with 48 percent of the vote in Mingo County compared with 21 percent for Clinton. The presumptive nominee even finished behind Huntington lawyer Paul Farrell (24 percent) who ran as a favorite son moderate Democrat.
–Jim Justice had a huge night. Unofficially, the Greenbrier Resort owner won at least 45 of the state’s 55 counties on his way to the Democratic nomination for Governor. Senator Jeff Kessler picked up several northern panhandle counties, while Booth Goodwin won Kanawha and Jackson.
–Richard Ojeda took a beating on Sunday, but not on Tuesday. The state Senate candidate in the 7th District (Boone, Lincoln, Logan, Mingo, Wayne) was physically assaulted while campaigning in Logan County Sunday and ended up in the hospital. But yesterday Ojeda pulled the upset over incumbent Senator Art Kirkendoll for the Democratic nomination, winning by over 2,000 votes.
–The first-ever non-partisan race for a seat on the state Supreme Court was a wildcard. One theory was that Darrell McGraw would have an advantage because of name recognition. However, Morgantown attorney Beth Walker, who had the backing of the business community, broke open the five-way race, capturing 39 percent of the vote, compared with 23 percent for McGraw.