(RepublicanNews.org) – West Virginia Attorney General Patrick Morrisey is throwing his hat into the ring for the governor’s mansion. Morrisey announced his run at a campaign event in historic Harpers Ferry, West Virginia, on April 4th.
Morrisey is in his third term as the state’s top lawyer.
During his campaign speech, Morrisey said he had a “conservative record second to none,” and that he was the “only proven conservative” in the governor’s race. Borrowing phrasing from former President Donald Trump, the Attorney General said he has a record of defeating “the swamp” and political elites while defending traditional values in West Virginia.
Morrisey is originally from New Jersey and has worked as a corporate lobbyist in D.C. In 2006, he moved to Jefferson County in West Virginia, the county in which Harper’s Ferry is located.
He said he has been considering a gubernatorial run for some time, weighing that against a second run for the U.S. Senate. Democrat Joe Manchin beat Morrisey in the 2018 Senate election. Manchin has also been governor of West Virginia, and he has not stated clearly whether he will seek re-election in 2024. Manchin has been a thorn in the side of progressive Democrats and the White House, breaking ranks with his own party over important agency nominations and more.
Manchin’s seat is being eyed by a wide field of contenders, including Republican House Rep. Alex Mooney, who defected from the Democratic Party in 2017.
The governor’s race is already getting crowded. So far, declared candidates include: Moore Capito (son of Senator Shelley Moore Capito); West Virginia state auditor J.B. McCluskey; Secretary of State Mac Warner; and Chris Miller, son of House Rep. Carol Miller.
Morrisey made a number of pledges to voters, saying he would protect their jobs, “supercharge” workforce growth, take a strong stance against drugs, and battle what he calls the “woke anti-freedom forces”.
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