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WV Governor

RACE DETAILS

Parents

> United States > West Virginia > Governor

Office

Governor

Type

General Election

Filing Deadline

January 30, 1996 - 12:00pm

Polls Open

November 05, 1996 - 06:00am

Polls Close

November 05, 1996 - 11:00pm

Term Start

January 03, 1997 - 12:00pm

Term End

January 03, 2001 - 12:00pm

Contributor

Ralphie

Last Modified

RBH February 05, 2022 06:18pm

Data Sources

[Link] also America Votes 22:520 (returns); New York Times 11/2/1996 for commentary.

Description

Although West Virginia was a regularly Democratic state, a handful of Republican politicians had been able to carry the state. Arch Moore was the best example during the 1970s and 1980s.

Following the primaries, the Democratic nominee led in the polls. Charlotte Pritt, who narrowly defeated Joe Manchin in the primary, had several important enemies in the Democratic Party. Gov. Caperton never forgave her for running a write-in campaign after losing to him in the 1992 Democratic primary.

The winner of the Republican primary, Cecil Underwood, was already a footnote in the state's history. He had been elected Governor in 1956 and was the youngest person to hold the post. After his term in office, he served as a college president and had worked to bring technology businesses to the state. If elected, Underwood would also become the state's oldest governor.

As the campaign unfolded, Underwood began to attack Pritt for having too many connections to liberal interests in the state. He charged that Pritt would initiate policies which would keep new technology businesses out of the state. His prescription was to reduce taxes and regulations on business.

Pritt pointed out that she had a friendly rapport with President Clinton and would be able to obtain federal funds for state projects. She called for collective bargaining among state employees and for corporations to pay more money to the state worker's compensation fund. However, moderate Democrats, particularly in the northeast, secretly supported Underwood.

A poll taken in the middle of 10/1996 showed Underwood with a narrow 48-43% lead.

Realizing the severity of her situation, Pritt worked in the final weeks of the campaign to moderate her image. She touted her membership in the National Rifleman Association and her support by small businesses.

On his 74th birthday, Underwood was elected to his second term as Governor of West Virginia, even as President Clinton and U.S. Senator Rockefeller easily carried the state.