[ politics ]
Photo by Perry Bennett, WV Legislative Photography.
Fresh Perspectives Meet the New Executive Branch
MEGAN BEVINS
The government’ s system of checks and balances— made to ensure that no one entity has too much power over another— divides the government into three branches: legislative, executive and judicial. This structure helps maintain accountability within the state and federal government so both can operate efficiently. West Virginia’ s executive branch was established in 1863 and has evolved over time, including the addition of an elected agriculture commissioner, secretary of state becoming an elected role and the removal of the superintendent of schools.
The primary role of West Virginia’ s executive branch is to execute the laws made by the legislative branch. It consists of six elected members: governor, treasurer, auditor, attorney general, secretary of state and agriculture commissioner. In 2024, the Mountain State elected an almost entirely new executive branch, apart from Agriculture Commissioner Kent Leonhardt. This new leadership brings fresh perspectives to the state’ s executive branch as it works to address current challenges and shape the future of the Mountain State.
40 WEST VIRGINIA EXECUTIVE