Patrick Morrisey

Patrick Morrisey
Born	Patrick James Morrisey 21 12, 1967
Birthplace	New York City, New York, U.S.
Nationality	American
Occupation	Politician, attorney
Title	37th Governor of West Virginia
Known for	34th Attorney General of West Virginia; 37th Governor of West Virginia
Education	Rutgers University, New Brunswick (BA) Rutgers School of Law–Newark (JD)
Children	1

Patrick James Morrisey (born December 21, 1967) is an American politician and attorney serving as the 37th governor of West Virginia since January 2025. A member of the Republican Party, Morrisey previously served as the 34th attorney general of West Virginia from 2013 to 2025, a tenure during which he became a prominent national figure in multistate litigation against federal regulatory agencies, particularly the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). Born and raised in New York City, Morrisey built a career in Washington, D.C., as a congressional aide, a federal official, and a healthcare industry lobbyist before relocating to West Virginia and entering state politics. His election as attorney general in 2012 made him the first Republican to hold that office since 1933, ending an eight-decade Democratic hold on the position. Morrisey ran unsuccessfully for the United States Senate in 2018, narrowly losing to incumbent Senator Joe Manchin. He was elected governor in 2024, defeating Democratic nominee Steve Williams.

Early Life

Patrick James Morrisey was born on December 21, 1967, in New York City, New York. He grew up in the New Jersey area, where he attended local schools. Details about his parents and family background during his upbringing in the greater New York metropolitan area reflect a working-class and middle-class environment common to the region during that era.

Morrisey's early life in the Northeast shaped his later political trajectory in notable ways. Although he would eventually build his political career in West Virginia, his roots in the New York–New Jersey corridor remained a point of discussion throughout his campaigns, with political opponents occasionally characterizing him as an outsider to the state. Morrisey has spoken publicly about his life experiences and the values instilled in him during his upbringing as formative influences on his career in law and public service.

Education

Morrisey attended Rutgers University in New Brunswick, New Jersey, where he earned a Bachelor of Arts degree. He subsequently enrolled at Rutgers School of Law–Newark, the law school of Rutgers University in Newark, New Jersey, where he obtained his Juris Doctor degree. His legal education at Rutgers provided the foundation for a career that would span congressional staff work, federal government service, private legal practice, and ultimately elected office in West Virginia.

Career

Early Career in Washington, D.C.

Before entering West Virginia politics, Morrisey spent a significant portion of his professional career in Washington, D.C. He worked as a staff member on Capitol Hill, gaining experience in the legislative process and federal policymaking. Morrisey also served in roles within the federal government, building expertise in regulatory and healthcare policy matters. During his time in Washington, he worked as a lobbyist in the healthcare industry, representing clients with interests before Congress and federal agencies.

This period of Morrisey's career gave him extensive knowledge of federal regulatory structures, which he would later draw upon as attorney general in challenging federal agency actions. His professional background in Washington, however, became a recurring subject during his West Virginia political campaigns, as opponents questioned the depth of his ties to the state.

Attorney General of West Virginia (2013–2025)

Election in 2012

Morrisey filed to run for attorney general of West Virginia, seeking to unseat the long-serving Democratic incumbent Darrell McGraw. His candidacy represented a significant challenge to the Democratic Party's hold on the office, which had been unbroken since 1933. Morrisey campaigned on a platform of fiscal responsibility, opposition to federal overreach, and reform of the attorney general's office. He won the 2012 general election, becoming the first Republican attorney general of West Virginia in approximately 80 years.

Environmental and Energy Litigation

As attorney general, Morrisey became one of the most prominent state attorneys general in the country on issues related to environmental regulation and energy policy, particularly as they affected West Virginia's coal industry. He participated in and often led multistate coalitions challenging EPA regulations that he argued exceeded the agency's statutory authority and threatened the state's economy.

Morrisey joined a coalition of state attorneys general in filing an amicus brief in support of the American Farm Bureau Federation in an appeal related to EPA regulatory authority. He also participated in a multistate amicus brief with 26 other state attorneys general in a case before the federal courts addressing issues of state sovereignty and federal regulatory power.

One of the most significant areas of litigation during Morrisey's tenure involved challenges to the EPA's regulation of greenhouse gas emissions from power plants. Morrisey was involved in a case before the D.C. Circuit Court of Appeals that addressed EPA regulatory authority. He also joined other states in an amicus brief related to EPA's greenhouse gas regulations that was brought before the Supreme Court of the United States.

Morrisey came to the support of the coal mining industry in a notable case, joining 26 other attorneys general in filing a brief on behalf of a mining company facing federal regulatory challenges. In a related matter, an amicus brief was filed in connection with litigation involving Murray Energy, one of the largest coal companies in the United States, which had filed a lawsuit against the EPA seeking to prohibit certain coal-fired power plant regulations.

Morrisey also participated in multistate coalitions on environmental regulatory matters beyond coal, including a case involving Kansas and other states related to statutory interpretation of environmental laws.

Second Amendment Advocacy

In addition to his environmental litigation work, Morrisey was active in defending Second Amendment rights through multistate legal actions. In 2013, his office filed a brief in a gun case pending before the U.S. Supreme Court, Kachalsky v. Cacace, related to firearms regulations. The brief was filed on behalf of the Commonwealth and other states as amici curiae in support of the petitioners.

Morrisey also participated in the case of Drake v. Jerejian, another Second Amendment case that reached the Supreme Court's consideration. In 2014, his office joined 18 other states in defending Second Amendment rights in another federal case, filing an amicus brief through the Wyoming Attorney General's office. A related brief was filed in connection with these efforts.

Reelection and Continued Tenure

Morrisey was reelected as attorney general, continuing to serve in the role through January 2025. During his tenure, he served under two governors: Earl Ray Tomblin, a Democrat, and Jim Justice, who had served as both a Democrat and a Republican. His long tenure in the office allowed him to build a substantial record on issues of federal regulatory challenges, energy policy, and constitutional law that formed the basis for his subsequent campaigns for higher office.

2018 U.S. Senate Campaign

In 2018, Morrisey entered the Republican primary for the United States Senate seat held by incumbent Democrat Joe Manchin. He won the Republican nomination and advanced to the general election. The race was considered competitive, given West Virginia's increasingly Republican-leaning electorate and President Donald Trump's strong popularity in the state. However, Manchin, a centrist Democrat who had cultivated a bipartisan image, narrowly defeated Morrisey in the general election. The loss was one of the closer Senate races of the 2018 cycle.

Governor of West Virginia (2025–present)

2024 Gubernatorial Election

With the incumbent governor Jim Justice constitutionally barred from seeking a third consecutive term (Justice also won election to the U.S. Senate in 2024), Morrisey entered the 2024 gubernatorial race. He secured the Republican nomination and faced Democratic nominee Steve Williams in the general election. Morrisey won the election, with NBC News projecting his victory on election night. His win continued the Republican Party's hold on the governorship and reflected the state's ongoing political realignment toward the Republican Party.

Inauguration and Early Administration

Morrisey was inaugurated as the 37th governor of West Virginia on January 13, 2025, succeeding Jim Justice. His lieutenant governor is Randy Smith. In October 2025, Morrisey announced key additions to his administration, naming Lars Dalseide and others to positions within the governor's office and to state boards.

Policy Initiatives

As governor, Morrisey has pursued several significant policy initiatives. In the area of fiscal policy, he has advocated for income tax cuts, arguing that the state's budget surplus provides the fiscal room to reduce the tax burden on West Virginians. In February 2026, Morrisey stated, "We are working very hard to continue to push for an income tax cut in West Virginia. We have a surplus right now in place so we can afford" the reduction.

Energy policy has been a central focus of the Morrisey administration, consistent with his record as attorney general. Morrisey has pursued an energy expansion strategy that aims to position West Virginia as a major power hub on the East Coast, with a particular focus on providing energy for artificial intelligence computing infrastructure. The initiative reflects the state's traditional role as an energy producer while seeking to connect it to emerging technology-sector demands.

In February 2026, the United States Department of the Interior signed an agreement with the State of West Virginia expanding state oversight of coal mining on federal land, a development aligned with Morrisey's long-standing advocacy for increased state authority over natural resource management.

On social policy, Morrisey announced a coordinated package of child welfare reforms focused on early intervention, family stability, and student success. The reforms were designed to strengthen the state's foster care system and address longstanding challenges in child welfare services in West Virginia.

In December 2025, Morrisey issued a proclamation granting West Virginia state employees an extended New Year's holiday, giving them the full day off on a Friday.

In February 2026, Morrisey participated in honoring West Virginia National Guard members who were shot in Washington, D.C., with the state rallying behind the wounded service members during their recovery.

Personal Life

Morrisey resides in the Governor's Mansion in Charleston, West Virginia. He has one child. Morrisey relocated to West Virginia from the Washington, D.C., area prior to his 2012 campaign for attorney general. His roots in the New York–New Jersey area and his years working in Washington were topics of public discussion during his political campaigns, with Morrisey emphasizing his commitment to his adopted state and the issues affecting its residents.

Legacy

Morrisey's political career is notable for several reasons within the context of West Virginia politics. His 2012 election as attorney general ended an 80-year Democratic hold on the office, making it one of the most significant Republican victories in the state's modern political history. His tenure as attorney general coincided with a broader political realignment in West Virginia, which shifted from a historically Democratic state to one of the most Republican-leaning states in the country.

As attorney general, Morrisey established himself as a leading figure in multistate litigation against federal regulatory agencies, particularly the EPA. His work on coal and energy-related cases reflected the central importance of these industries to West Virginia's economy and positioned him as a prominent voice in national debates over the scope of federal environmental regulation.

His election as governor in 2024 represented a continuation of his political influence in the state and his ability to connect with West Virginia voters on issues of energy policy, economic development, and limited government. His early gubernatorial initiatives, including efforts to expand state oversight of coal mining on federal land, reduce income taxes, and position the state as an energy hub for emerging technology sectors, reflect an administration focused on economic growth and energy development.