Republicans John B. McCuskey and Mike Stuart are running in the Republican primary for West Virginia attorney general May 14. Republican incumbent Patrick Morrisey is running for governor, leaving the office open.
Both McCuskey and Stuart are running on their record in elected office. Both candidates say they will prioritize suing the federal government to overturn policies they say challenge West Virginia values. Both also say they will encourage other departments in the state government to obtain legal services from the attorney general’s office rather than private counsel.
McCuskey is the state auditor and a former state legislator. McCuskey says he is “an experienced leader with a proven record of fighting for West Virginians and their conservative values,” saying he promoted transparency and streamlined the state’s property tax system as auditor.
McCuskey says he will work with West Virginia University to recruit local law school graduates to work in the attorney general’s office and build “a coalition of in-state firms that are both conservative and like-minded as we are” to provide outside counsel to the state when necessary.
Stuart is a state senator and former federal prosecutor. Stuart says he is a “proven conservative fighter for West Virginia.” Stuart says his record includes serving as a U.S. Attorney under former President Donald Trump and winning election to a state senate district with a history of electing Democrats.
Stuart says he will advocate for a change in state law to allow the attorney general’s office, rather than county prosecutors, to prosecute specific crimes. Stuart says he wants “a full-service, serious law firm as the attorney general of the state of West Virginia.”
No Democrat has won a statewide election in West Virginia since 2018. Morrisey won re-election 64%–36% in 2020.
Ten states are holding elections for attorney general in 2024. There are currently 27 Republican attorneys general, 22 Democratic attorneys general, and one independent attorney general.
