CHARLESTON, WV (LOOTPRESS) – West Virginia Secretary of State Mac Warner announced Tuesday his intention to seek election as State Governor in the upcoming 2024 Gubernatorial Election.
The announcement, made Tuesday evening at the Capitol Complex’s Veteran’s Memorial, comes just prior to the five-year anniversary of Warner’s assumption of his current position of Secretary of State on January 16, 2017.
The event saw an introductory address from a 33-year Veteran Army Sgt. with which Warner served, who also led the Pledge of Allegiance.
Vince Deeds, who recently claimed a victory in the WV General Election for District 10 of the State Senate, introduced Warner on the chilly Tuesday evening following a rendition of the Star Spangled Banner.
“Mac Warmer loves America,” declared Deeds. “ Mac has your back. He will always take care of you, and he will always fight for our men and women in blue.”
Taking to the podium to applause from those in attendance as Bon Jovi blared from the speakers of the outdoor area, Secretary Warner addressed the crowd as the music died down.
“I am truly honored to have each and everyone of you out here today. This a special moment in West Virginia history.”
“I’m running because I want to take West Virginia to its greatest days ever,” Warner continued. “Leadership and dedication to service above self is what separates me from other candidates.”
“The best way to predict the future is to make it,” the Secretary of State said, quoting President Abraham Lincoln. “This is a fight for the heart and soul of West Virginia.”
“As Bon Jovi said, ‘there’s only one place left I want to go,’ that’s why today I’m announcing my candidacy for Governor of the great state of West Virginia,” Warner declared, making his gubernatorial candidacy official.
Featuring a heavy focus on Warner’s noted military service, many veterans were present, and Warner himself regaled the crowd with tales of his time serving his country.
Speaking with LOOTPRESS following the announcement, Secretary Warner touched on what it means to him personally to be running for governor of the great state of West Virginia, and the changes he intends to implement should he be elected Governor.
“It means everything,” Warner exclaimed. “I’m excited. I want to take this message of hope to the rest of the state. We’ve turned a corner here in West Virginia. There’s a lot of work to be done, and that’s what I plan to do – focus on those things I mentioned: education, infrastructure, the economy, and the opioid crisis. We want to fix those, especially education, and the rest of it falls into place.”
Warner, a West Virginia native and retired Army Lieutenant Colonel, will seek to assume the position of Governor following the conclusion of Governor Jim Justice’s current term on January 13, 2025.
Having first assumed the position on January 16, 2017, Governor Justice cannot seek reelection due to state term limits.
Upon assuming his current position as Secretary of State, Warner and his staff instituted a new electronic voting system and have since processed thousands of new registrations.
Warner expressed interest in running in the upcoming Gubernatorial Election in late 2022, with a decision having been expected to emerge this month.
Warmer’s candidacy places him alongside fellow Republican candidates Chris Miller, Terri Bradshaw, Rashida Yost, and Moore Capito.
The 2024 West Virginia Gubernatorial Election will occur on November 5, 2024, and take place with the upcoming 2024 United States Presidential Election.
Additional LOOTPRESS coverage for the Kanawha County area can be found here.