CHARLESTON – It’s Labor Day weekend, and things are starting to heat up for the 2024 primary.
The West Virginia Coal Association this week released its endorsements for the election cycle. The list included Jim Justice for the U.S. Senate, Carol Miller and Riley Moore for the U.S. House, Patrick Morrisey for governor, Mike Stuart for attorney general and Haley Bunn and Charles Trump for the state Supreme Court. All are Republicans, except Supreme Court races are non-partisan.
“The 2024 state and federal election cycle is the most important in our industry’s history dating back before West Virginia become a state,” said Chris Hamilton, president and CEO of the group. “Our industry is challenged like never before and our mere existence is threatened. We need political leaders who are willing to go the extra mile for our business and the 50,000 West Virginians who show up at a mine site or coal fired manufacturing facility every day.
“We will immediately go to work to boost our endorsed candidates' chances of prevailing in the spring.”
Of Justice, Hamilton said the coal industry sees the race as important as the one for president.
“This race may determine control of the Senate and whether New York Democrat Chuck Schumer continues to set the agenda, name committee chairs, and call the plays,” Hamilton said. “We believe West Virginia will be better served with a new and insightful leader in the Senate, which is why we offer our unconditional support for Jim Justice to succeed Senator Joe Manchin.”
Justice, who is finishing out his final term as governor, said coal is an important part of the state’s economy and history.
“I'll always fight for coal, and you will not find a stronger supporter of coal in the U.S. Senate,” he said. “Coal will lead America to energy independence like it did under President Trump.
“I'll always put America first; our energy workers and American coal, oil and gas will lead to energy independence.”
For the state’s two U.S. House seats, the group backs Miller, the incumbent, and Moore, who currently is state treasurer.
Hamilton said Morrisey is their choice from four solid choices for governor. The other two he named are Chris Miller, Moore Capito and Mac Warner.
“Chris Miller is an accomplished entrepreneur and philanthropist with numerous businesses around the state and region and as such exudes tremendous promise going forward,” Hamilton said. “Moore Capito, son of U.S. Senator Shelly Moore Capito, we know and respect. He has done brilliant work in the Legislature and in his role as House Judiciary Chairman. He’s an accomplished energy lawyer and we’ve always supported his candidacy and have endorsed him multiple times before.
“The same can be said of our current Secretary of State, Mac Warner, who we have previously endorsed. He is a top-notch individual, has done a praiseworthy job as Secretary of State, and represents West Virginia extremely well.”
Hamilton said Morrisey is most poised to fend off attacks on the coal industry from Democrats.
“Attorney General Patrick Morrisey has mounted legal challenge after legal challenge to hold off or stop President Biden’s Environmental Protection Agency from eradicating coal from America’s energy mix,” Hamilton said. “We are indebted to General Morrisey and believe he is the most qualified in these unprecedented times to lead our state forward. We proudly announce our endorsement for Patrick Morrisey for Governor.
Hamilton said the three candidates for AG all are solid as well.
“There are three great candidates running for Attorney General who are friends of coal,” he said. “Current State Auditor J.B. McCuskey and State Senator Ryan Weld are honorable individuals with great political futures.
“State Senator Mike Stuart has stepped up in so many ways to defend and support West Virginia’s coal industry. He is the son of a coal miner and the state's coalfields, and served as President Trump’s appointment as U.S. Attorney for West Virginia’s Southern District. Stuart is uniquely qualified to sustain the programs which originated under General Morrisey, and we are pleased to endorse him for Attorney General.”
Hamilton said the state Supreme Court “is vitally important to the business climate and stability we now enjoy in West Virginia.”
“The composition of the high court is as stellar as it’s ever been, and the addition of Justice Bunn to the bench has only enhanced it,” Hamilton said. “Justice Bunn is extremely bright, understands the rule of law, and serves as inspiration to our youth. We wholeheartedly endorse her candidacy.
“We also endorse Charlie Trump for the second open seat on the Supreme Court. Trump, from Morgan County, is held in the highest regard throughout West Virginia’s Legislative and Judicial circles. A legal scholar and absolute statesman, no one is more prepared or deserving to be called ‘Justice.’”
Also, MetroNews released its latest West Virginia Poll, showing Justice has a significant lead (58-26) over Congressman Alex Mooney in the U.S. Senate Republican primary as well as an edge over Manchin (51-38) in the possible general election battle.
The results were released September 1 at the West Virginia Chamber of Commerce’s annual Business Summit. It was conducted by Research America. It showed Manchin holding a small lead (45-41) over Mooney if they squared off in the general election.
But it also showed Justice’s approval rating is down five points to 56 percent since 2021. Manchin’s approval rating has increased from 42 to 51 percent in that time.
“It's not surprising that West Virginians overwhelmingly support Governor Jim Justice for U.S. Senate,” Justice campaign manager Roman Stauffer said. “He has a strong record of tax cuts, economic growth and conservative results.
“No one in West Virginia knows Alex Mooney, the RINO in this race for taking $13.5 million from the Trump-hating Club for NO Growth, but unsurprising for someone so insignificant and ineffective representing West Virginia in Congress.”
The poll also shows Capito in the lead for the gubernatorial primary, edging out Morrisey, Miller and Warner, respectively. Those percentages are 32, 23, 9 and 7, with 29 percent undecided.
The survey also said 66 percent of those polled disapprove of the job President Joe Biden is doing. It also showed former President Donald Trump’s popularity has decreased to 49 percent, down from 56 percent in 2020.
Morrisey’s campaign discounted the results of the poll, calling it fake news. But in doing so, he didn’t mention that he trailed Capito in the gubernatorial findings.
“Any poll which shows President Trump at a 49 percent approval rating in West Virginia is laughable on its face,” Morrisey senior strategist Jai Chabria said. “The same poll also shows Manchin is more popular than President Trump in West Virginia. How many people believe that? Patrick Morrisey stands with Donald Trump and looks forward to winning this primary alongside him next May.
“When voters contrast the only proven conservative candidate in this race with the darling of the liberal establishment, the proven conservative will win hands down. Patrick Morrisey is the only proven conservative running for Governor and is well positioned to defeat the liberal establishment candidate.”