CHARLESTON – Patrick Morrisey has won a third term as West Virginia’s Attorney General.
The Republican defeated Democatic challenger Sam Brown Petsonk. With all 1,704 statewide precincts counted, Morrisey led with 64 percent of the vote for a victory of more than 208,000 votes.
“For years, Attorney General Morrisey has been a champion for the rule of law and a fierce defender of West Virginia's values,” said Jeff Landry, chairman of the Republican Attorneys General Association. “His work to bolster the state's economy, stand with law enforcement, and protect conservative values has made West Virginia a better place to live, work, and raise a family.
Petsonk
“Patrick's strong re-election victory tonight reveals his strong leadership and hard work on behalf of the Mountain State.”
RAGA Executive Director Adam Piper agreed.
“Patrick Morrisey has fully recovered from the $35 million spent against him in 2018,” Piper said. “This is an amazing political rebound and is a testament to the fact that he is a results-oriented attorney general whose allegiance is to the Constitution and rule of law.
“He is a leader among attorneys general, whose work pushing back against Obama's burdensome regulations is unparalleled and an excellent example for all to follow. West Virginia will continue to remain in good hands.”
Morrisey first took office in 2013 after defeating longtime Democratic AG Darrell McGraw. He ran on his record of fighting Obama-era environmental regulations, federal government overreach and the opioid epidemic as well as working with President Donald Trump.
He says he’ll work to protect residents affected by the COVID-19 pandemic and expand successes his office has had in his first two terms.
Petsonk said Morrisey hasn’t done enough to protect state residents from the opioid epidemic and that his settlements with drug companies have been too low.
He also says Morrisey's involvement in an upcoming U.S. Supreme Court case to repeal the Affordable Care Act will hurt West Virginia, saying about 200,000 residents with pre-existing conditions will suffer if the lawsuit is successful.
