I got polled over the weekend.
Few share my excitement about taking a few minutes out of my day to answer a political survey—understandably so. However, given my role on Talkline, I was more curious about the poll’s purpose than about the chance to share my opinion.
I get to do that every day.
As I clicked the link and answered the standard qualifying questions, I wondered what insights the survey was trying to gather. Could it be about the war in Iran? Gas prices? The performance of the Cincinnati Reds front office?
It turned out the poll was looking ahead to the upcoming election—in 2028. It asked about my views on Gov. Patrick Morrisey and Sen. Jim Justice: Did I have a favorable view of each politician? Did I approve of their job performance?
Subsequent questions asked about the weight I place on economic issues versus social issues, alongside the obligatory check on my approval of President Donald Trump.
The survey was obviously aimed at building a voter profile for a potential 2028 gubernatorial matchup between Morrisey and Justice.
Sen. Justice made headlines when he confirmed on Talkline earlier this month that he was “100 percent” considering another run for governor. A report in Politico noted that Justice was actively discussing his candidacy during the West Virginia Chamber of Commerce Business Summit at The Greenbrier. Justice saying the quiet part out loud generated buzz across the state for days.
Other outlets have taken notice too. A Capitol Hill freelance journalist recently asked Justice if he had made a decision about his future political plans and Semafor has taken notice.
Sen. Jim Justice @JimJustice_WV on when we can expect an announcement about a potential run for governor in 2028. pic.twitter.com/1qqhL0QVko
— Desirée Townsend (@DesireeReports) September 16, 2026
Meanwhile, Gov. Morrisey is preparing for a looming primary challenge. He held another fundraiser in Napa Valley last week, adding to deep coffers that will be critical in what promises to be a bitter primary fight.
All of this chatter comes with an election just six weeks away. But while the 2026 midterms carry major national implications with control of Congress on the line, the fiercest battles in West Virginia were already settled during May’s primary.
Outside a handful of competitive races in select Senate and House of Delegates districts, Republicans are expected to maintain supermajorities in both legislative chambers. U.S. Senator Shelley Moore Capito and Representatives Riley Moore and Carol Miller remain heavy favorites in their re-election bids.
There is no doubt that the 2028 election cycle in West Virginia is already well underway.
And I didn’t need polling data to tell me that.