West Virginia
DC politics have arrived in West Virginia – WV MetroNews
West Virginia politics have taken on a distinctly DC-style edge, brought in by Gov. Patrick Morrisey. While this approach may offer short-term gains for the governor and his allies, the long-term effects of the 2026 Republican Primary could extend well beyond another election cycle with fewer people willing to put their name and reputation on the line.
This year’s GOP Primary Election in West Virginia was the culmination of weeks of Republican on Republican battles that featured unprecedented public involvement by the chief executive and spending from Political Action Committees aligned with him. The strategy closely mirrored that of President Donald Trump, the tactics used to challenge incumbents with whom he disagrees.
President Trump inserted himself into the legislative primary in Indiana after the lawmakers in the Hoosier state rejected calls to redraw congressional districts to favor Republicans. The president’s allies spent $8 million on legislative primary races in Indiana, and of the seven challengers endorsed by Trump, at least five won.
Here in West Virginia, Metronews tracked seven Political Action Committees that spent a combined $5 million on legislative races leading into the election. Gov. Morrisey boasted on social media that candidates he endorsed scored 33 wins in House and Senate races. Conservative groups, such as Americans for Prosperity, went on the offensive to recruit candidates to run against more moderate legislators.
Kanawha County Senator Tom Takubo also recruited a slate of candidates, many of whom were targets of the PAC attack ads. PAC spending totaled nearly $1 million in Takubo’s race alone, with much of that spending used to attack his character and reputation.
During a conversation on Metronews Talkline, Senator Takubo predicted that finding quality candidates for legislative races will become increasingly difficult.
“I think it’d be incredibly difficult to get anybody of any caliber to run in 2028 or anytime, if this is, this is the kind of nonsense politics that they dragged into the state of West Virginia,” Takubo said.
“You know, they talked about us being a shiny city in the mountains, but this is sludge and mud that they dragged in on the beautiful mountains of West Virginia. It’s saddening, and it’s disgusting.”
Politics is not for the faint of heart, and a certain amount of public scrutiny is expected. Citizens who are successful professionals, who possess a wealth of knowledge and experience, are not going to be willing to put their neck on the line if one disagreement with the governor’s agenda means their reputation and character will be attacked, and their positions will be misrepresented.
In a social media post, Gov. Morrisey said he looked forward to working with anyone, regardless of party, to lift up West Virginia and deliver results to citizens.
The introduction of DC-style politics by Gov. Morrisey has changed the landscape of West Virginia politics, raising serious questions about the long-term consequences for the state. The true cost of these tactics may extend far beyond one election cycle, as the willingness of qualified citizens to serve and the potential for genuine collaboration in government are now in doubt.
The path forward for West Virginia depends on whether its leaders choose lasting unity or continued division.
West Virginia
Strong wind at NCAA baseball tournament in West Virginia sends 5 people to the hospital
MORGANTOWN, W.Va. (AP) — Five people were taken to the hospital for treatment of injuries sustained when a strong wind tore through an area occupied by fans at the Morgantown Super Regional NCAA baseball tournament game between West Virginia and Cal Poly on Saturday, according to the university.
Video from the storm showed rain and wind that reached speeds of 40 mph tearing up a tent, with one person flying through the air while trying to hold it down as another person rolls uncontrollably down a hill.
Other fans scrambled for safety from an area known as Randy’s Ridge near the Kendrick Family Ballpark.
“I was just trying to hold my weight on the pole with the cement block, and then it started sliding, and then another guy joined in, and he’s trying to hold another pole, and then a big gust of wind came,” West Virginia fan Keith Hill told WAJR radio. “It just started sliding really hard, and people got caught up in the ropes and the poles.”
West Virginia University police confirmed that five people were transported to a hospital.
The game was in a weather delay at the time.
“We have been in touch with health-care providers in the area to ensure those affected are supported in their recovery,” West Virginia athletics spokesperson Michael Fragale said in a statement.
West Virginia won the game 17-1 to advance to the College World Series for the first time in program history.
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AP college sports: https://apnews.com/hub/college-sports
Tent blows over during a WVU baseball game weather delay
The school said five people were injured after heavy winds blew an event tent over.
Multiple West Virginia baseball fans were injured during Saturday’s Morgantown Super Regional between the Mountaineers and Cal Poly.
A spokesperson for West Virginia Athletics confirmed to USA TODAY Sports on Saturday that several fans sustained injuries during a weather delay after heavy winds blew an event tent over at an adjacent parking lot to Wagener Field at Kendrick Family Ballpark in Morgantown, West Virginia.
“WVU would like to thank the immediate response of EMS, law enforcement and fire first responders who immediately secured the area and treated the injured spectators. While it was a great day for Mountaineer baseball, all of Mountaineer Nation’s thoughts are with those who were involved,” the statement read.
Saturday’s game between the Mountaineers and Mustangs was delayed in the eighth inning for over an hour and a half due to weather in the area, which included thunderstorms and lightning. The statement said five people were transported to a local hospital for treatment.
“We have confirmed through the University Police Department that five people were transported for treatment. We have been in touch with health care providers in the area to ensure those affected are supported in their recovery,” the statement said.
In a post on X (formerly Twitter), West Virginia athletic director Wren Baker asked for prayers for the fans who were injured.
On the field, No. 16 West Virginia defeated Cal Poly 17-1 to finish off the sweep of the Morgantown Super Regional and advance to the program’s first College World Series. Ben Lumsden and Tyrus Hall hit back-to-back home runs as part of the Mountaineers’ seven-run second inning.
West Virginia is set to open up play at the College World Series against Troy either Friday, June 12 or Saturday, June 13. The NCAA has not released official start times and dates for the CWS.
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West Virginia took game one from Cal Poly 12-2 on Friday and will look to end the series today and punch their ticket to Omaha. The Mustangs are hoping to live another day and force a decisive game three on Sunday.
Per usual, we will have all the updates for you in the game thread, along with the starting lineups listed underneath.
GAME THREAD
TOP 1 (WVU)
West Virginia’s starting lineup
1. 1B Armani Guzman — .310
2. C Gavin Kelly —.377
3. CF Paul Schoenfeld — .341
4. DH Sean Smith — .321
5. LF Matthew Graveline — .292
6. SS Matt Ineich — .296
7. 2B Brodie Kresser — .292
8. RF Ben Lumsden — .257
9. 3B Tyrus Hall – .275
SP Maxx Yehl
Cal Poly’s starting lineup
1. SS Nate Castellon — .326
2. 3B Alejandro Garza — .323
3. RF Dylan Kordic — .277
4. C Ryan Tayman — .360
5. DH Cam Hoiland — .315
6. CF Casey Murray Jr .— .321
7. 1B Gavin Spiridonoff — .291
8. LF Dante Vachini — .288
9. 2B Jake Downing — .272
SP Carson Turnquist
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