CHARLESTON — In a momentous ceremony on Monday, Patrick Morrisey was sworn in as the 36th Governor of West Virginia, officially stepping into the state’s highest office. Morrisey succeeds Jim Justice, who was elected to the U.S. Senate in 2024.
“Today is the dawn of a new era. A symbolic new start for our state,” Morrisey said in his inaugural address. “Today, we set our sights on something truly great – a future where West Virginia is thriving in that shining state in the mountains.”
His speech resonated with optimism, emphasizing his vision for West Virginia as a model of prosperity and innovation.
Morrisey, the former Attorney General of West Virginia since 2012, brings a wealth of experience and a strong track record of legal victories to his new role. His leadership in securing record-breaking opioid settlements and his successful challenge of the EPA in the landmark West Virginia v. EPA case have earned him national recognition. These achievements, among others, have positioned him as a transformative figure in the state’s legal and political landscape.
Born to a World War II veteran and a VA nurse, Morrisey is a product of hardworking values. He is the first in his family to graduate from college and law school. He is married to Denise, now West Virginia’s First Lady, and together they have a daughter, Julia.
One of Morrisey’s top priorities as governor is to ignite an economic renaissance in West Virginia. He envisions a “backyard brawl” of competition with neighboring states, aiming to make West Virginia the best place for jobs, opportunities, and quality of life. A cornerstone of his plan includes significantly reducing the state income tax to make West Virginia’s tax climate more competitive than that of neighboring states.
“This economic revival, though, it’s more than just cutting taxes and red tape. It’s about unleashing the full potential of our people and engaging in spirited competition every day. Virginia, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Maryland, Kentucky – we’re coming for you economically,” Morrisey declared in his speech, rallying West Virginians for the challenges ahead.
Morrisey is also determined to tackle one of the state’s most pressing issues: education. With West Virginia historically ranking near the bottom in educational performance, the new governor plans to prioritize fundamental learning while incorporating modern teaching techniques. He stressed the importance of supporting teachers and will work toward raising their pay to be competitive with surrounding states.
Additionally, Morrisey has made clear his commitment to preserving traditional values in education.
“We’ll teach our kids Civics, and we’ll eliminate the woke virus from schools. And that means starting now, there will be no more DEI, no more radical agendas, no more brainwashing, no more confusion about the differences between boys and girls,” he stated, emphasizing a return to core principles.
In further efforts to strengthen education in West Virginia, Morrisey expressed support for expanding the Hope Scholarship, which provides financial aid to students attending both public and private schools across the state.
The inauguration festivities began with a faith-based breakfast and continued with a vibrant parade featuring high school bands from all over West Virginia. The evening culminated with a spectacular fireworks display at the Charleston Coliseum and Convention Center, followed by the Inaugural Dinner and a black-tie Inaugural Ball.
Morrisey, who defeated four competitors in the 2024 gubernatorial race, garnered overwhelming support, winning all 55 counties across the state casting their votes in his favor. His victory reflects the trust West Virginians have placed in his leadership. As the state embarks on this new chapter, Governor Patrick Morrisey is poised to lead West Virginia into a brighter future.
