West Virginia Secretary of State Mac Warner running for governor

CHARLESTON, W.Va. (AP) — West Virginia Secretary of State Mac Warner introduced Tuesday that he’s working for governor.

“We stay in severe instances, and severe instances name for severe leaders,” the Republican mentioned in a speech beside the veteran’s memorial on the West Virginia state Capitol grounds. Warner, who was first elected secretary of state in 2016, already has practically $53,000 in contributions for the 2024 election cycle, in line with the secretary of state’s web site.

Republican Gov. Jim Justice is prohibited by regulation from looking for a 3rd time period.

Warner beforehand misplaced to present Democratic Sen. Joe Manchin within the 2004 basic election for governor. He additionally misplaced in a U.S. Home GOP major race in 2010. Earlier than that, he had served within the U.S. Military for 23 years, retiring on the rank of lieutenant colonel.

He mentioned his many years of service, together with within the army, have instilled in him a “an appreciation for organizational buildings, a talented chain of command, the significance of staffing points, and the necessity to construct robust, competent groups.”

After Warner took over as secretary of state in 2017, he fired 16 workers — one-third of the workplace’s workers — and the state needed to pay greater than $3 million in wrongful termination authorized settlements.

The staff sued, alleging he terminated them over their political affiliations. All however one of many workers Warner fired have been registered Democrats. Of the 22 new hires, 19 have been Republicans.

After President Joe Biden was declared the winner of the 2020 election, Warner, because the state’s high elections official, mentioned he supported the state’s involvement in a lawsuit difficult electoral leads to swing states gained by Biden. He additionally made an look at a “March for Trump” rally in Charleston, the place he seemed to be holding up a “Cease the Steal” signal.

Warner is a graduate of america Navy Academy at West Level and the West Virginia College School of Legislation.