W.Va. Chamber Notes Election Results and Future Goals
November 9, 2016
Charleston, W.Va. – West Virginia Chamber President Steve Roberts this morning stated, “November 8, 2016 was historic for West Virginia and the nation. West Virginians went to the polls in heavy numbers and sent a clear message that they are dissatisfied with the status quo.” President-elect Donald J. Trump won the state with nearly 68% of the vote. Jim Justice (D), a businessman and coal operator who owns the Greenbrier Resort, and like Trump, has never previously sought public office, was elected Governor of West Virginia. Republicans also made significant gains by winning races for Attorney General, Secretary of State, Auditor and Commissioner of Agriculture.
Both houses of the West Virginia Legislature were won by candidates who support job creation and economic development. The West Virginia State Senate will have a 22-12 Republican majority. Sixty-three of the one hundred seats in the West Virginia House of Delegates were won by Republicans. Eighty-nine percent of legislative candidates who were endorsed by the West Virginia Chamber PAC were successful.
The West Virginia Chamber is eager to work on an agenda with legislators and the governor-elect that includes:
- Improved quality of life for all West Virginians
- A more competitive business climate that attracts job creators
- An economic development program that identifies needs and assesses opportunities
- A focus on energy production and manufacturing that puts West Virginians back to work
- Efficiency and accountability in government
- Improved education outcomes for our children
- A workforce that is prepared for 21st Century jobs
- Infrastructure improvement to support growing economic development
- Re-examining our legal system to ensure fair legal outcomes which are among the most basic civil rights
Roberts continued, “The West Virginia Chamber congratulates the winners of the 2016 General Election. We will work with them to solve problems and move West Virginia forward.”