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.

It has been nearly four years since 27-year-old Gretchen Fleming vanished from Parkersburg, West Virginia, on December 4, 2022. She was reported missing days later, on the 12th.

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Dateline featured her story in our “Missing in America” digital series just two weeks after she went missing. At the time, Gretchen’s father, David Fleming, told Dateline the community had been extremely supportive to their family and they were grateful to detectives who were “working around the clock” on Gretchen’s case.

Now, that hard work has brought some answers to the Fleming family.

On May 15, 2026, the Parkersburg Police Department went live on their Facebook page with breaking news: Remains discovered in September 2025 had been identified as Gretchen and an arrest had been made in the case.

“This morning, May 15th, a Grand jury in Wood County here in West Virginia delivered a four-count indictment on Preston Pierce, 58 years of age, in connection with the disappearance of Gretchen Fleming,” Police Chief Matthew Board said during the press conference. “The counts on that indictment are first-degree murder, felony murder, concealment of a deceased human body, and kidnapping.”

U.S. Marshals apprehended Pierce in Asheville, North Carolina. “Our investigation, from the onset, quickly determined that Mr. Pierce was the last person Gretchen was known to be seen with,” Board said. Pierce became a person of interest in the case. Chief Board described the investigation as “unrelenting.”

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“As time went on, the case grew stronger,”​ Board stated at the press conference.

“In September of ‘25, a — a major break happened,”​ the police chief said. “Human remains were located in Wirt County, West Virginia.” Wirt County is more than half an hour from Parkersburg.

Authorities said they do not know how long the remains were in that location. The remains were sent for extensive genetic testing and were identified as belonging to Gretchen. Authorities said they could not talk about a cause of death at this time.

“This is obviously not the outcome that we have all prayed for. This is not what we wanted, but it is my hope that through, you know, bringing Gretchen home and holding Mr. Pierce accountable for his actions, will help them get the peace that they need and- and begin the mourning process,” Chief Board said.

“I want to, from my heart, thank the Fleming family,”​ Board said at the press conference. “The patience that they’ve shown over three and a half years, and their continued support of us and faith in us, um, is more appreciated than I can even put into words.”

“We would not be here if it was not for the hard work of, uh, our detective bureau,” Board said, adding that it was a collaborative effort with multiple agencies and the community.

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Preston Pierce is being held in Asheville, awaiting an extradition hearing on June 5 to be sent back to West Virginia, where he will be arraigned. According to NBC affiliate WTAP, no bond hearing has been scheduled. Dateline has reached out to Pierce’s attorney in West Virginia for comment but has not yet heard back.

Authorities did not disclose what evidence they may have. “As this matter is now before the court, no further details will be released at this time in order to preserve the integrity of the judicial process,” the Parkersburg Police Department wrote in a press release. They also stated that, “All persons are presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.”

Over the past few years, both Gretchen’s grandmother and her father have passed away — without knowing exactly what happened to her. Detective James Zimmerman, the lead investigator on Gretchen’s case, said that this case has changed him, for good. “I think a lot of times in law enforcement we can be kind of robotic, and I think, you know, getting to know this family and having sympathy and empathy with them and— and getting to know them, um, it’s forever changed my — my career and how I approach, uh, cases from now on,” Zimmerman said at the press conference.

The Wood County Women’s Rights Alliance, a nonprofit in West Virginia fighting for equality for women and minorities, is holding a candlelight vigil in Gretchen’s honor at Point Park in Parkersburg tonight, Monday, May 18, at 8 p.m.

The Parkersburg Police Department encourages anyone with information pertaining to Gretchen’s case to still come forward. You can contact them at (304) 424-8444.

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CHARLESTON, W.Va. — The West Virginia Division of Natural Resources reminded the public on May 12 to leave young wildlife alone, noting that handling wild animals can harm them, spread disease and violate state law.

“Watching wildlife is one of the many joys of outdoor recreation in West Virginia,” said WVDNR Director Brett McMillion. “When it comes to public safety and what’s best for our native wildlife, it’s always best to not disturb young animals and leave wildlife alone.”

Each spring, the WVDNR receives calls about fawns, birds and other young animals that may appear abandoned. In most cases, these animals are not orphaned and are behaving as they should in the wild. For example, white-tailed deer often leave fawns hidden for hours while they feed. A fawn’s camouflage and lack of scent help protect them from predators. Approaching or handling a fawn can increase its risk of harm. Similarly, many young birds found on the ground are fledglings learning to fly and should be left alone.

Touching, picking up or even approaching young animals can leave behind human scent, which may attract predators and put the animal at risk. Contact with wildlife also increases the chance of spreading diseases and parasites such as rabies, ticks, Lyme disease and roundworms.

The WVDNR reminds the public that possessing wildlife without a permit is illegal. Violations can result in fines ranging from $20 to $300 and up to 100 days in jail. To learn more about wildlife in West Virginia, visit WVdnr.gov.