Let me say this as plainly as I can, if you wait until November to start paying attention to West Virginia politics, you are missing the election that matters most.
That election is happening right now. If you want to vote in the Republican primary, that means you must be a registered Republican by tomorrow, April 21. There will be no more selecting a Republican ballot at your polling place if you are a non-party-affiliated voter. You are, however, able to select a Democratic ballot in the primary if you are non-affiliated with either major political party.
Recently in West Virginia, the Republican primary has become where decisions are made and offices have been decided. It has been where candidates rise or fall, where differences have been debated, and in many cases, where the outcome is effectively decided long before the general election ballot is printed.
That is not a complaint. It is just the reality of where we have been. This year, the democrats have effectively filled many of the ballot positions.
Still, as we approach the May 12 primary, this is not the time to check out. It is time to lean in and learn.
One of the more notable aspects of this year’s election cycle is the level of involvement we are seeing from Governor Patrick Morrisey.
Since taking office, he has been actively engaged in recruiting and supporting candidates across the state. Alongside his wife, he has worked to encourage people to step forward and run for office and has offered support to candidates who share his priorities and vision.
That kind of engagement sends a clear signal. This primary is not just about individual races. It is about shaping the direction of leadership in West Virginia, and you can see that playing out across the ballot.
Yes, there are high-profile races, including the U.S. Senate contest where Shelley Moore Capito is seeking another term. Even she is being challenged by a half-termer elected to the State Senate. She is the fourth most powerful person, and she is from West Virginia. But the real story is deeper than any single race.
It is in the legislative districts where incumbents are being challenged. It is in congressional races where candidates are working to define themselves within their own party, and it is in communities across the state where voters are being asked to make decisions between Republicans with different experiences, styles, and priorities.
This is where the future of this state is being shaped. Because when one party dominates, the competition does not disappear. It moves inward, and that is exactly what we are seeing.
Candidates are working to stand out in a crowded field. They are drawing contrasts, making their case, and speaking directly to voters who will ultimately decide not just who advances, but they will also decide who governs.
For voters, this creates a moment of real influence. But it also requires a little more effort.
You cannot just look at the party label and assume you know where a candidate stands. In a Republican primary, most candidates will agree on broad principles. The differences are in how they lead, how they prioritize, and how they actually get things done. Those differences matter, and they are worth paying attention to, especially this election cycle.
There is also something else worth remembering, and that is turnout.
Primary elections typically draw fewer voters, yet in West Virginia today, hopefully people realize they carry more weight than ever. That is because a relatively small number of people can have an oversized impact on who represents you, and how those decisions are made moving forward.
Think about that. That is scary.
The direction of this state, on issues that affect your family, your community, and your future, is being shaped by those who choose to show up in May. Not who shows up in November, in May.
The involvement of leaders like Governor Patrick Morrisey adds another dimension to the process, helping to build a slate of candidates and encouraging participation. At the end of the day, the outcome is still in the hands of the voters. Isn’t that how it should be? That is why this moment matters. This election matters.
So, here is the ask, and it is a simple one. Please pay attention.
Do your homework. Look at the candidates. Understand what they have done, what they are saying, and what they will bring to the job. And then, just as importantly, voters need to show up.
Because in West Virginia today, the primary is not just part of the process. It is the process.
If you care about where this state is headed, then this is your chance to have a say, before the decisions are already made for you.
