CHARLESTON, W.Va. — Patrick Morrisey, the newly elected Republican governor of West Virginia, is set to take the oath of office on January 13, as he announced in a press conference on Tuesday.
Morrisey, who has held the position of attorney general in West Virginia since 2013, made his first public comments since delivering his victory speech on November 5, where he defeated Democrat Steve Williams, the mayor of Huntington.
At 56 years old, Morrisey will be taking over from the current governor, Jim Justice, a Republican who is moving on to a seat in the U.S. Senate.
In his remarks, Morrisey introduced members of his transition team, which will co-lead efforts during this period of change. Among those named were Doug Buffington, his chief deputy attorney general, and Eric Householder, the Majority Leader of the House of Delegates.
The incoming governor has begun collaborating with state legislators and leadership to establish a unified agenda prior to his inauguration and the upcoming legislative session.
“We could push forward with several pieces of legislation that may receive initial agreement,” Morrisey commented, expressing enthusiasm for working closely with lawmakers to shape this agenda.
He emphasized his commitment to uphold what he described as West Virginia values, addressing concepts like “woke” culture and DEI (Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion), which he does not regard as reflective of the state’s principles. “We will not support an administration that promotes those values,” he stated.
Morrisey described the people of West Virginia as “wonderful-hearted” individuals who cherish their freedoms, highlighting their strong belief in protecting Second Amendment rights. He also shared that he believes in the importance of safeguarding the sanctity of life and the well-being of children and families.
Looking ahead, he promised to unveil additional members of his transition team in the weeks to come and encouraged citizens to share their thoughts and suggestions through the West Virginia Prosperity Group website.
“To those who voted for me, thank you,” Morrisey said. “And to those who didn’t, we’re all on team West Virginia now. The election has concluded.”