HARPERS FERRY, W.Va. — State Attorney General Patrick Morrisey is running for governor.
The three-term attorney general will seek the Republican nomination in 2024.
“I’m the only proven conservative in this race with a deep record of fighting and winning against the political elites, successfully defending our West Virginia values,” Morrisey in an interview that aired on MetroNews “Talkline” Tuesday. “We have the background and are ready to lead on day one.”
Morrisey enters a crowded Republican field for the office that will open up with Gov. Jim Justice completing his second term. Other Republicans to already announce a run in 2024 include Secretary of State Mac Warner, state Auditor J.B. McCuskey, Del. Moore Capito, R-Kanawha, the son of U.S. Senator Shelley Moore Capito, and Huntington auto dealer Chris Miller, the son of Congresswoman Carol Miller.
“As governor I’m working to protect our jobs, fighting to put more money in people’s pockets, helping those in need, advance educational excellence and supercharge our economy, workforce and population growth,” Morrisey said ” And we need to defend families from the ravages of the drug epidemic.”
Morrisey ran against U.S. Senator Joe Manchin in 2018 and fell three points short of an upset victory. Manchin is up for reelection next year but Congressman Alex Mooney has already announced he’ll seek the GOP nomination and Gov. Justice is expected to do the same soon. Justice said during an appearance on WAJR’s “Talk of the Town” Tuesday that he has made a decision and would be making an announcement in the near future.
.@MorriseyWV announces that he will be running for the Republican nomination for WV Governor in 2024. Why does he want to run for governor? He discusses his announcement with @HoppyKercheval. WATCH: https://t.co/yCFQ3nDJuy pic.twitter.com/iG5j7YOkr1
— MetroNews (@WVMetroNews) April 4, 2023
Morrisey said on “Talkline” that as attorney general he’s been in the middle of every single issue that faces the state.
“We just have the experience to fight in the issues that no one else has. That’s why I’m running for governor because I think our experience and vision is needed in this field,” Morrisey said.
A recent poll from a political action committee that supports Morrisey has him as the front-runner for the GOP nomination.
Morrisey said Tuesday he would characterize the poll results as showing he’s the most qualified candidate standing for the position for governor.
“I’ll going to stand before folks today as the only proven conservative who has worked on, lead and won the most critical challenges facing our state,” Morrisey said. “Others are going to profess their aspirations and their goals but I’m the only one in the race who knows what it takes to deliver on the big projects that move the needle.”
Morrisey made his initial announcement in Harpers Ferry Tuesday morning. He’s scheduled to make seven other stops across the state through Thursday. His last stop is set for 5:30 p.m. Thursday in Lewisburg.
More Republican candidates who have filed so far include Terri Bradshaw of Gandeeville and Rashida Yost of Martinsburg. Former Delegate Marshall Wilson has also filed to run under America Coming Together.
On the Democratic side, Huntington Mayor Steve Williams has said “there’s no other position to be in in my mind than to be governor.”