Politics of West Virginia

From the time of the Great Depression through the 1990s, the politics of West Virginia were largely dominated by the Democratic party. In the 2000 presidential election, George W. Bush won a surprise victory over Al Gore, with 52% of the vote, and he won West Virginia again in 2004 with 56% of the vote.

Nevertheless, Democrats hold both U.S. Senate seats and two of three seats in the United States House of Representatives, and still dominate the state legislature and most local and state offices. West Virginia also has a very strong tradition of union membership. Interestingly, the Democratic candidate for Governor in 2004, Joe Manchin, won 63% of the vote.

The most consistent support for Democrats is found inside the capital city of Charleston and throughout the coal fields of Southern West Virginia (especially McDowell, Mingo, Logan, Wyoming, and Boone Counties), while Republicans are most numerous to the east of the Allegheny Mountains, especially in the state's Eastern Panhandle. The farming region of the Mid-Ohio Valley, particularly Wood, Jackson and Mason Counties, also historically leans Republican.

External links

*dmoz|Regional/North_America/United_States/West_Virginia/Society_and_Culture/Politics