CHARLESTON, W.Va. — Newly elected West Virginia Republican Party Chair Elgine McArdle said she’s ready to get to work for both the upcoming general election and the key 2024 election cycle.
“I am extremely thankful, blessed and excited,” McArdle told MetroNews hours after Saturday afternoon’s vote by the WVGOP Executive Committee. “I think we have a lot of work to do to keep our super majority in the state and to get that one last office to complete our puzzle and that is (U.S. Senator) Joe Manchin.”
McArdle is the chair of the Republican Party in Ohio County. She had 80 votes compared with Dolph Santorine’s 27 voters. A third candidate, John McCutcheon, spoke first but withdrew his bid and asked state committee members to put their support behind McArdle.
McArdle’s co-chair is Putnam County GOP Chairman Tony Hodge.
State Attorney General Patrick Morrisey was pleased with McArdle’s election.
“Elgine will do a phenomenal job leading Republicans to greater heights. Excited to work with her in ‘22 and ‘24,” Morrisey tweeted.
Congrats to my friend Elgine McArdle for being elected @WVGOP Chair. Elgine will do a phenomenal job leading Republicans to greater heights. Excited to work with her in ‘22 and ‘24.
— Patrick Morrisey (@MorriseyWV) July 30, 2022
McArdle takes over the reigns from Mark Harris who decided not to seek reelection. State GOP leaders wanted Harris to resign several weeks ago in connection with alleged inappropriate behavior. Harris refused but didn’t put his name in for reelection.
Keeping the pedal down
McCardle leads the party at a time when Republicans hold majorities in the House of Delegates and state Senate and every office on the state Board of Public Works. She said she and her team will work to make sure the GOP doesn’t become complacent.
“We need to make sure that the people who have made it through the primary have all of the grassroots support of the state executive committee, the county chairs and try to fund raise and give them as much financial help as well,” McArdle said. “You gotta always run like you’re losing. You cannot get complacent. It’s real easy to lose a lead in a matter of seconds. I think taking things for granted is the biggest mistake anyone can make.”
Unproductive special session
McArdle also assumes the leadership of the GOP at a time following an unproductive week-long special session when the conservative majority couldn’t agree on tax cuts or abortion, two fundamental cores issues of the Republican Party.
McArdle predicted GOP lawmakers will take a step back and be able to reach agreement on both issues in the coming weeks.
“Not everybody agrees on everything all at the same time–that doesn’t mean you don’t have the same goals,” McArdle said. “Roe v Wade took 50 years to be overturned in the Supreme Court, I don’t think it’s going to happen overnight that the legislature will address the abortion issue and by the same token, taxes are very difficult and you’ve got to get it right.”
McArdle predicted Republican lawmakers will “get it right.”
“In a week’s session that’s a lot to cover. They’re going back and I think they will get it right. They will work together and come up with a good bill that’s going to pass the House and Senate and that’s going to be supported by all the members,” McArdle said.
Looking to beat Manchin
The ballot is set for the 2022 General Election but 2024 will be a big election for the GOP as it tries to hold on to the governor’s office and the Board of Public Works. The seat currently held by U.S. Senator Joe Manchin is also on the ballot. Manchin hasn’t yet said if he’ll seek reelection.
McArdle said Manchin proved again last week, with his crafting of the Inflation Reduction bill with Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer, that he’s not in line with West Virginia voters.
“You can’t have an individual who votes the way he needs to vote to keep his position and then changes his mind at the last minute,” McArdle said. “He doesn’t vote at the time when the vote matters—and when the vote matters he sides with the Dems and that just can’t happen. It just can’t happen. He’s not representing his constituents in the state of West Virginia. He needs to go and we’re going to get him.”
The governor’s seat is also up for 20224 with a lot of Republican candidates expected in the primary. McArdle said things will sort themselves out.
“When that individual comes out of the primary they will have our 100% support. We have the whole Board of Public Works, there’s no reason we should lose that (governor’s office),” McArdle said.