Patrick Morrisey will be West Virginia’s next governor, multiple news outlets projected.
The Associated Press and Fox News called the race for Morrisey as soon as polls closed.
“There’s a landslide for West Virginia,” Morrisey said from his campaign headquarters as the rock anthem “Eye of the Tiger” by Survivor played in the background.
“Tonight you spoke loud and clear.”
Morrisey, a Republican, is West Virginia’s three-term attorney general.
His opponent, Democrat Steve Williams, is the three-term mayor of Huntington.
“Steve was a gentleman. Steve called a few minutes ago. He’s a friend,” Morrisey said.
The most recent MetroNews West Virginia Poll showed Morrisey with a solid lead.
The poll released in late August showed Morrisey leading Williams, 49% to 35%, in the race for governor. The remainder preferred another candidate or were not sure.
Morrisey emerged from a bruising Republican primary where one of the most prominent issues was the participation of transgender athletes on sports teams.
Morrisey has received an endorsement from former President Donald Trump, who remains popular in West Virginia. He underscored his political alliance with Trump at several points during a debate last week and his advertisements have also underscored a connection to Trump.
On other issues, Morrisey has described his advocacy for school choice initiatives, saying “West Virginia will always have the broadest school choice law in the country.”
He has also regularly touted a “Backyard Brawl” to assess West Virginia’s performance up against surrounding states. He has emphasized reducing taxes, regulations, and workforce rules to improve West Virginia’s economic standing compared to its closest neighbors.
“I do want to serve as your governor,” Morrisey said at last week’s gubernatorial debate in Fairmont.
“I want every West Virginian to know that freedom is going to reign in West Virginia. We’re going to uphold the rule of law. We’re going to fight to lift up your standard of living, drive your educational attainment. We’re going to do all of that while we maintain West Virginia conservative values.”