Trump keeps winning.
As the Republican primary season kicks off, an early display of support for Donald Trump has emerged in West Virginia, with nearly half of the state legislature endorsing the former president. A letter obtained by POLITICO and signed by members of the state House of Delegates and Senate highlights Trump’s fight for conservative Republican principles and his delivery of America First policies that have greatly benefited West Virginia, the nation, and the world. The letter emphasizes Trump’s strength, determination, and unwavering commitment to the American people.
The endorsement letter carries the signatures of a total of 50 legislators, including 40 West Virginia Delegates and ten Senators. Delegate Josh Holstein from Boone County spearheaded the effort to organize the endorsement, which represents slightly less than half of the Republicans serving in the West Virginia capitol. The state House of Delegates has 100 members, 89 of whom are Republicans, while the W.V. state Senate has 34 members, 31 of whom are Republican.
Delegate Holstein expressed that garnering support for Trump in West Virginia was not a challenging task due to the former president’s immense popularity. Trump is widely regarded as the leader of the party in West Virginia, and many legislators were eager to offer their early support, representing the interests of their constituents. Holstein worked closely with the Trump campaign to coordinate the endorsement letter.
The competition to secure endorsements in the 2024 campaigns of Trump and Florida Governor Ron DeSantis has intensified, with some endorsers wavering between the two candidates. Some legislators approached by Holstein opted to remain neutral during the primary, either to avoid upsetting their constituents or due to their own strategic considerations. However, Holstein remains pleased with the 50 legislators who have endorsed Trump and believes the number may increase to 60 or more in the coming months.
West Virginia has consistently shown strong support for Trump, as he won the state convincingly in both the 2016 and 2020 presidential elections, receiving approximately 68 percent of the vote each time. In the 2016 presidential primary, Trump enjoyed a resounding victory, with 77 percent of West Virginia Republicans backing his candidacy. Throughout his presidency, Trump maintained his popularity in the state and made multiple visits to West Virginia.
The West Virginia primary is scheduled to take place on May 14, 2024. With the significant backing from state legislators, Trump enters the primary season with a notable show of strength and support in a state where he has a robust base.