West Virginia’s conservative shift could sharpen under its new governor

CHARLESTON, W.Va. — Former West Virginia Gov. “And so you’re more likely to see a very aggressive conservative agenda.” Morrisey takes the helm as West Virginia Republicans have secured one of the largest legislative supermajorities in the country, controlling 123 out of 134 seats as well as every one of the state’s board of public works and congressional seats. State GOP Party Chair Matt Herridge described West Virginia as the “most dominant Republican state in the nation” and a blueprint for the national party. “And anybody on the outside that would wonder about West Virginia, you best better know — rock solid, we stand for life in West Virginia.” Justice, a girls basketball coach, said he “proudly” signed the 2021 law prohibiting transgender athletes from competing in the state, but hasn’t advocated as loudly as Morrisey, who repeatedly defended it in court as attorney general. “We’re not going to allow the elites in the swamp to impose their values on West Virginia citizens,” Morrisey said last year in announcing he would take the case to the U.S. Supreme Court.