West Virginia Election Day Recap
November 9, 2022
The Republican Party gained seats in both the House and Senate on election night in WV. Voters also defeated all four constitutional amendments on the ballot.
Congressman Alex Mooney and Congresswoman Carol Miller both easily won seats in the newly drawn WV congressional districts.
House of Delegates
Republicans expanded their majority to 88 from 78 in the 100-member House. All 100 seats were on the ballot.
Only two Republican incumbents were defeated, Andrew Anderson (recently appointed to replace Larry Pack in Kanawha County), and Austin Haynes, Fayette County.
Incumbent Democrats losing their seats include Phil Diserio, Lisa Zukoff, Ed Evans, and Cody Thompson. The House will elect its leadership in December.
Senate
Republicans won 16 of the 17 Senate seats that were on the ballot. Republicans beat incumbents Stephen Baldwin (minority leader), Ron Stollings, and Hannah Geffert. Republican winners included incumbents Charles Clements, Mike Azinger, Eric Tarr, Mark Maynard, Charles Trump and Tom Takubo. Newcomers include former US Attorney Mike Stuart, Vince Deeds and Mike Oliverio, who previously served as a Democrat in the Legislature.
There will now be 30 Republicans in the Senate Majority out of a total of 34 seats.
Constitutional Amendments
Governor Jim Justice campaigned statewide against Amendment 2, which voters rejected by a high margin.
This battle seemingly affected the remaining amendments on the ballot, which voters also defeated. These included Amendment 1, related to impeachment powers, Amendment 3, relating to incorporation of churches, and Amendment 4, which would give the legislature greater oversight over education policies.
The defeat of Amendment 2 underscores the popularity of Governor Justice and his credibility with voters. It is likely the Governor’s reduction in income tax proposal will be up for consideration by the legislature next session.