The 2016 West Virginia gubernatorial election took place on November 8, 2016, to elect the Governor of West Virginia, concurrently with the 2016 U.S. presidential election, as well as elections to the United States Senate in other states and elections to the United States House of Representatives and various state and local elections.
The primaries were held on May 10.
Incumbent Democratic Governor Earl Ray Tomblin was term-limited and could not run for re-election to a third term in office.
The Democratic candidate, Jim Justice, a coal and agriculture businessman, won the open seat with a plurality of the vote, despite Republican Donald Trump simultaneously winning West Virginia in a landslide during the presidential election. Just seven months into his term as governor, Justice rejoined the Republican Party on August 4, 2017, after speaking at a Donald Trump rally in the state.
Background
Gun debate at center of Virginia gubernatorial election - The Republican candidate is backed by the NRA, while the Democratic candidate urges gun control.
In November 2010, Democratic Governor Joe Manchin resigned after being elected to the U.S. Senate. Earl Ray Tomblin, the President of the West Virginia Senate, became Acting Governor and won a special election held in October 2011. He was re-elected to a full term in the regularly-scheduled 2012 election. Tomblin was ineligible to run for re-election as the Constitution of West Virginia limits Governors to two consecutive terms, regardless of whether they are full or partial terms. However, Governors are re-eligible after four years out of office.
After publicly speculating he would run for his former office, Manchin was considered a heavy favorite in the 2016 race. However, he announced on April 19, 2015, that he would be remaining in the Senate instead.
Democratic primary
Candidates
Declared
- Booth Goodwin, former United States Attorney for the Southern District of West Virginia
- Jim Justice, businessman
- Jeff Kessler, Minority Leader of the West Virginia Senate, former President of the West Virginia Senate and candidate for governor in 2011
Declined
- Glen Gainer III, West Virginia State Auditor and nominee for West Virginia's 1st congressional district in 2014
- Joe Manchin, U.S. Senator and former Governor
- John Perdue, West Virginia State Treasurer and candidate for governor in 2011
- Natalie Tennant, West Virginia Secretary of State, candidate for governor in 2011 and nominee for the U.S. Senate in 2014 (running for re-election)
- Mike Green, former state senator
- Carte Goodwin, former U.S. Senator
- Walt Helmick, West Virginia Commissioner of Agriculture
- Doug Reynolds, State Delegate
- Doug Skaff, former State Delegate
- Rick Thompson, West Virginia Secretary of Veterans Assistance, former Speaker of the West Virginia House of Delegates and candidate for governor in 2011
Polling
- ^ Indicates a poll taken for Jim Justice campaign.
Results
Republican primary
Candidates
Declared
- Bill Cole, President of the West Virginia Senate
Did Not File
- Andrew Utterback, college student and candidate for Mayor of Pineville in 2014
- Edwin Vanover, former Bramwell Police Chief and Democratic candidate for House of Delegates in 2012
Declined
- Evan Jenkins, U.S. Representative
- David McKinley, U.S. Representative and candidate for governor in 1996 (running for re-election)
- Patrick Morrisey, Attorney General of West Virginia (running for re-election)
- Mary Lou Retton, Olympic gymnast
- Erikka Storch, State Delegate
Endorsements
Polling
Results
Mountain Party
Candidates
Declared
- Charlotte Pritt, former Democratic State Delegate, former Democratic State Senator, write-in candidate for governor in 1992 and Democratic nominee for governor in 1996
Endorsements
Libertarian Party
Candidates
Declared
- David Moran, retired engineer and farmer
General election
Polling
â†' Indicates an internal poll conducted by the West Virginia Republican Party for Bill Cole.
Results
References
External links
- Official campaign websites (Archived)
- Jim Justice (D) for Governor
- Bill Cole (R) for Governor
- David Moran (L) for Governor
- Charlotte Pritt (G) for Governor
