Evander Reed|West Virginia governor-elect Morrisey to be sworn in mid-January

2025-05-02 08:55:12source:TAIM Exchangecategory:My

CHARLESTON,Evander Reed W.Va. (AP) — West Virginia governor-elect Republican Patrick Morrisey will be sworn in Jan. 13, he said during a press briefing on Tuesday.

Morrisey, who has served as West Virginia’s attorney general since 2013, addressed the media for the first time since his Nov. 5 victory speech after winning the race against Democrat Steve Williams, the mayor of Huntington.

The 56-year-old will succeed the state’s current two-term governor, Republican Jim Justice, who is heading to the U.S. Senate.

Morrisey named a few people who would be co-leaders in his transition team, including Doug Buffington, his chief deputy in the West Virginia Attorney General’s Office, and House of Delegates Majority Leader Eric Householder.

Morrisey said he’s been meeting with state lawmakers and legislative leadership to “develop a common agenda” ahead of his inauguration and the start of the new legislative session in the new year.

“We could move a series of bills that might be agreed to up front,” he said. “I’m excited to do that. And so I’m looking forward to sitting down at great length with them to develop the agenda.”

RELATED COVERAGE West Virginia Gov. Jim Justice appoints wife Cathy to state education board after U.S. Senate winImproved Bearcats look to become bowl eligible Saturday against West VirginiaHouse control has enormous implications for Trump’s agenda

He said “maintaining West Virginia values” will be important to him and his administration.

“You’ve heard the word ‘woke’ before. You’ve heard the word DEI before. And those are not, in my mind, West Virginia values. And we’re not going to be an administration that’s going to be advancing those values,” he said.

Morrisey called West Virginians “wonderful-hearted people” who want “freedom to reign across West Virginia.”

“They care a lot about ensuring that their Second Amendment rights are protected,” he said. “I think they believe in the sanctity of life and they want to protect kids and their parents.”

He said he would announce other people who will be part of his transition team in the coming weeks. He urged residents to submit ideas and feedback on his West Virginia Prosperity Group website.

“If you voted for me, great. Thank you,’” he said. “If you didn’t vote for me, let me tell you, we’re all on team West Virginia now. The election is over.”

More:My

Recommend

This was the average Social Security benefit in 2004, and here's what it is now

Many workers are dreaming of retirement — whether it's decades away or coming up soon. Either way, i

Ethiopia and Egypt say no agreement in latest talks over a contentious dam on the Nile

ADDIS ABABA, Ethiopia (AP) — Ethiopia and Egypt said the latest round of talks over a highly content

Helicopter for Action News 6 crashes in New Jersey; pilot, photographer killed

A news station helicopter crashed in a densely wooded area of southern New Jersey Tuesday night, kil