West Virginia ’ s Legislature
The political composition of West Virginia ’ s Legislature has shifted through the decades . Data provided by the West Virginia Legislature showcases the change through the years , beginning with 1940 through the most recent elected legislative body in 2022 where the Republican Party holds a super majority .
House of Representatives Senate
1940 |
1940 |
1950 |
1950 |
1960 |
1960 |
1970 |
1970 |
Republican |
1980 |
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1980 |
1990 |
Democrat |
1990 |
2000 |
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2000 |
2010 |
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2010 |
2020 2022
2020 2022 impact our way of life in the Mountain State and vice versa , and I ’ ll continue fighting for West Virginia ’ s priorities like workforce retention , addressing inflation and lowering costs for West Virginia families .”
Voters are also interested in what politicians are going to do about making the economy and their way of life better .
“ Economic growth can help benefit everyone . At the same time , we need to ensure states like West Virginia aren ’ t left behind ,” says Capito . “ Less regulations , lower taxes and pro-growth policies — which are policies republicans have historically and continue to support — is what will lead to the kind of economic growth we saw pre-pandemic . I think this mentality , in part , has contributed to the political shift we ’ ve seen in our state over the years . For example , for eight years , we saw an administration under President Obama seek to destroy the jobs and livelihoods of our coal industry because our work did not fit their climate agenda . Other businesses saw that and were impacted by that .”
Since the COVID-19 pandemic receded , West Virginia has seen an upswing in its business economy , but Kercheval does not credit this to politics .
“ West Virginia is enjoying a period of economic growth since the end of the pandemic ,” he says . “ A number of large companies like Nucor Steel , Form Energy and others have announced new developments in West Virginia in recent months . Those announcements have less to do with the politics and more to do with an improved business climate in the state and a proactive state development office .”
A 3.2 % population decline from 2010 to 2020 in West Virginia — a loss of nearly 65,000 people — resulted in the state giving up a U . S . congressional seat . U . S . House incumbents Alex Mooney
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