West Virginia Primaries Measure Morriseys Influence

West Virginia voters headed to the polls Tuesday for primaries that will select nominees for U.S. Senate and House seats, state legislative positions, Charleston's mayoral race and several judicial contests, with Republican Gov. Patrick Morrisey endorsing challengers to multiple Republican state legislative incumbents.

The May 11 primaries offer a measure of Morrisey's influence two years into his term as he seeks to alter the makeup of his party's large majorities in the state legislature. His endorsements include support for Jonathan Comer, a pastor challenging incumbent state Sen. Vince Deeds in Senate District 10. That race highlights tensions with U.S. Sen. Shelley Moore Capito, who backs Deeds and is seeking a third term in her own Republican primary against five opponents, including state Sen. Tom Willis. Willis holds endorsements from six fellow GOP state senators, led by Senate President Randy Smith, while Capito has backing from 15 state senators and former President Donald Trump.

This marks the latest clash between Morrisey and Capito, who previously opposed each other indirectly in 2024 when Morrisey narrowly won the GOP gubernatorial nomination over Capito's son,...