West Virginia voters are gearing up to make their voices heard on the issue of abortion in the upcoming governor’s race. The Republican nominee, State Attorney General Patrick Morrisey, has been a staunch defender of West Virginia’s comprehensive ban on abortion, while his Democratic opponent, Huntington Mayor Steve Williams, has been pushing for more reproductive rights. Williams attempted to get an abortion referendum on the ballot, but failed due to the state’s lack of a citizen-led initiative process.
Despite West Virginia’s Republican supermajorities in the legislature, there have been successful efforts in GOP-leaning states like Kansas and Kentucky to preserve abortion rights through ballot initiatives. Williams is hoping to sway voters by emphasizing the contrast between himself and Morrisey on this issue, even in a state that strongly supported Trump in the past two elections. As governor, Williams plans to push for a ballot question on abortion or to loosen restrictions through an executive order if lawmakers continue to refuse to act.
Morrisey has labeled West Virginia as a “pro-life state” and pointed to a 2018 vote where just under 52% of voters supported an amendment stating there is no right to abortion access. However, advocates argue that this vote was specific to state funding of abortion and does not accurately reflect residents’ views on overall access to the procedure. Margaret Chapman Pomponio, of the abortion rights advocacy group WV FREE, believes that West Virginians would vote for abortion rights if given the chance, but lawmakers are hesitant to allow such a vote.
Chapman Pomponio also highlights the restrictive nature of West Virginia’s abortion ban, particularly in terms of exemptions for victims of rape and incest. Victims are required to report their assault to law enforcement before obtaining an abortion, which can be a significant barrier for many survivors. Despite the limited exemptions in the law, she believes that many voters are unaware of the full extent of the restrictions and hopes to mobilize them ahead of the election. Democratic spending on the governor’s race has been minimal compared to the $36 million spent by Morrisey and Republican groups backing him.
The debate over abortion rights in West Virginia has intensified following the Supreme Court’s decision on the Dobbs case, prompting multiple discussions in the state legislature about potential abortion bans. Protests have erupted at the state Capitol, reflecting a sense of public outcry and frustration with lawmakers’ handling of the issue. Chapman Pomponio raises concerns about the lack of transparency and public input in the legislative process, leading to feelings of distrust and apathy among voters. Ultimately, the outcome of the governor’s race may hinge on where West Virginia residents stand on reproductive rights and how well candidates are able to communicate their positions on the issue.
