Poll: Republicans have double-digit leads in WV races for governor, U.S. Senate
August 31, 2024
Unveiling polling data to a dwindling crowd on the last day of the state Chamber of Commerce’s 88th Annual Business Summit at the Greenbrier, Rex Repass of Research America Inc. said Republican candidates have double-digit leads in West Virginia’s races for governor and U.S. Senate.
Repass, an analyst and pollster headquartered in Newtown Square, Pennsylvania, gave his “West Virginia Report” Friday to chamber members and guests at The Greenbrier in White Sulphur Springs.
Repass said Republican West Virginia Attorney General Patrick Morrisey has a double-digit lead on Democrat Huntington Mayor Steve Williams in the race for governor. He said Republican West Virginia Gov. Jim Justice has a 34-point lead over Democratic Wheeling Mayor Glenn Elliott. The winner will succeed incumbent U.S. Sen. Joe Manchin, I-W.Va., who is not seeking a third term.
“Frankly, Elliott and Williams are not well known around the state,” Repass said. “They both face an uphill climb.”
His data from surveying 400 likely voters from Aug. 21-27 showed the following candidate preferences:
U.S. Senate:
- 62%: Justice
- 28%: Elliott
- 5%: Not sure
- 5%: Another candidate
Governor:
- 49%: Morrisey
- 35%: Williams
- 11%: Not sure
- 5%: Another candidate
What the poll shows
“Governor Justice is not only popular, he polls very well,” Repass said. “He also has very strong support in his party. Morrisey has run very strong in three or four statewide campaigns.”
Repass said moving into September, both Elliott and Williams have a strong challenge in front of them.
“About 57% said they don’t know enough about them to have an opinion,” he said.
Justice endorsed Morrisey and former President Donald Trump on the first day of the chamber event. The poll shows Trump has strong support in the state.
“In West Virginia, 61% support Donald Trump for the next president, while 34% support Kamala Harris, 4% support another candidate and 2% remain undecided,” Repass said.
The growing wave of conservatism in West Virginia could all be deciding factors when West Virginians cast their ballots in 2024, the poll showed.
Story by Fred Pace, HD Media