By: Brayton Boggs
West Virginia voters have spoken. Patrick Morrisey, the state’s Attorney General since 2013, will stay in Charleston to kickstart a conservative agenda supported by a Republican-dominated legislature.
During his inaugural address, Morrisey addressed the West Virginia populace directly and laid out ambitious goals for his term in office. Wide-ranging tax cuts, the creation of a business-friendly economic environment, and trailblazing investments in educational freedom are at the top of his to-do list*. Considering that over 90% of the state legislators are Republicans, the new governor has a political advantage: He will not have to navigate intense partisan potholes that are known to impede executive progress.
Another key aim for Morrisey is to target governmental inefficiency by eliminating careless spending and cleansing the bloated public sector workforce**. This commitment to small government is connected to the national party platform and is a central doctrine of conservatism. President Trump, assisted by Elon Musk, has claimed a mandate to reform bureaucracy in Washington, and it seems that the federal strategies will trickle down into West Virginia throughout Morrisey’s governorship.
Jason Webb, an experienced government relations professional and owner of Capitol Advocates, LLC, understands West Virginia’s complex political landscape and offers a unique perspective to explain Morrisey’s intentions.
“The governor will take a conservative approach by using a taxpayer lens to look at each agency’s goals and determine if they are achieving objectives. He will invest in programs that are purposeful while cutting waste when discovered,” Webb said. “I would also add that Governor Morrisey has been a stalwart supporter of conservative policies long before Donald Trump got elected the first time in 2016.”
While words are powerful, what really matters are the actions. Morrisey quickly acted on his words by issuing several executive orders during his first day in office***.
One of the governor’s most controversial executive orders was to remove all diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) programs from the governmental apparatus and state-sponsored institutions. He reasoned that DEI initiatives have been detrimental to performance by emphasizing physical characteristics over skills. This action even prompted some of the state’s public universities to examine DEI policies****. However, not everyone is on board.
Leann Ray, a contributing writer to the West Virginia Watch news organization, believes the governor missed the mark and condemns the order for the challenges it poses to equal rights.
“How can Morrisey promote a message of working with all West Virginians, and wanting to serve every single one of them, while scoffing at DEI efforts? Diversity, equity, and inclusion programs are meant to eliminate discrimination in workplaces based on race,” Ray said*****.
Undoubtedly, Governor Morrisey has supporters and critics on both sides of the political aisle. With the Republican trifecta of control, it will be interesting to see the success his administration has in advancing policies favorable to the conservative agenda. For West Virginians, however, the more important consideration will be the influence of these policies on their daily lives.
*https://www.wsaz.com/2025/01/13/patrick-morriseys-inauguration-day/
***https://www.wsaz.com/2025/01/14/gov-morrisey-announces-executive-orders-day-one/
Picture: Governor Patrick Morrisey delivers his Inaugural Address on the steps of the State Capitol on January 13, 2025.Credits: https://westvirginiawatch.com/2025/01/13/morrisey-sworn-in-as-wv-governor-says-hell-end-wokeness-prioritize-cutting-government-waste/
THE PHAROS 
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