Over the last decade, the Republican Party of West Virginia has seen unprecedented success. Currently, we hold 31 of the 34 state senate seats and 89 of the 100 house seats. In the last 30 days alone, three more counties have shifted from a plurality of registered Democrats to Republicans, leaving only fourteen counties out of fifty-five with Democratic pluralities. We are well on our way to gaining additional seats in both houses in 2024, maintaining all partisan statewide offices, and sweeping all federal positions (Senate and House). Thanks to this super-majority, we can implement policies that embody the common-sense conservative values of West Virginia and propel us toward a promising future. Our political achievements have rightly placed us at the forefront of national discussions.
However, this rapid shift is not without its risks. Numerous former Democratic legislators have switched to the Republican Party, discarding their previous stances and voting records on key issues central to our platform and objectives. While we welcome these converts and value the ideological shift they represent, some have not yet proven their commitment. At the same time, we appreciate those who changed parties and who now staunchly defend, support, and even sponsor conservative legislation, some even embodying Republican values at all levels.
Nevertheless, there remains a group whose very recent conversions call for cautious evaluation. For instance, the WVGOP State Executive Committee recently passed a resolution unanimously on January 27th, 2024, urging primary voters to thoroughly vet all candidates and choose genuine conservatives. This was highlighted by the actions of Doug Skaff, former leader of the House Democrat Caucus, who recently resigned from his role in the House, registered as a Republican, and announced his campaign for Secretary of State. During his tenure as a Democrat, he supported policies such as universal absentee voting, ballot drop-boxes, and the removal of signature match requirements for provisional ballots. He also supported allowing biological men to compete in women’s sports and opposed Republican pro-life measures. Despite currently branding himself as a “Conservative Republican Leader” in a recent campaign communication; his record raises significant questions about his conservative credentials and readiness for the role of Secretary of State.
While Mr. Skaff may now disavow his past decisions, he lacks a consistent track record of conservative actions compared to other Republican candidates. Nevertheless, we remain hopeful that his actions will eventually align more closely with the conservative majority of West Virginians who disagree with the Democrat agenda. We believe many Democrats will realize that their party, which has increasingly embraced divisive, “woke” ideologies, no longer represents their core values.
The transformation of West Virginia politics requires nurturing—not unlike the spring lawncare many of us are facing—with planting, pruning, and patience. We are eager to progress and embrace anyone who shares our foundational values of faith, family, and freedom. This journey also requires patience from our candidates and diligence from our voters to ensure healthy sustainable growth.Â