Morrisey’s Lead Sliced in Half Despite Seven-figure Boost from Out-of-State Donors; Margin Now Just 5% as West Virginians Learn About Morrisey’s Plan to Gut Health Care

WASHINGTON, D.C.— Today, the Democratic Attorneys General Association (DAGA) released the following statement from Deputy Political Director Manfred Mecoy, after a new poll revealed a shockingly close race for Republican incumbent West Virginia AG Patrick Morrisey. The poll shows the race has tightened to just a 5-point contest even as Morrisey out-spends first-time candidate, challenger Sam Brown Petsonk, by a margin of 3-1. Morrisey and his out-of-state donors have dumped nearly $2 million into the race, but in that time, support for Petsonk has increased by three percent and Morrisey’s support has decreased by three percent.

Statement from Manfred Mecoy, Deputy Political Director of the Democratic Attorneys General Association

“If you want to know just how unpopular cutting health care during this pandemic really is, look no further than the sinking re-election campaign of ‘Pain Pill Pat’ Morrisey. The more West Virginians learn about Morrisey’s plan to gut prescription drug discounts for seniors and protections for people with pre-existing conditions like black lung disease and diabetes, the more his poll numbers shrink.”

“Morrisey began this race with every conceivable advantage, from name ID to money. Yet, he is quickly losing ground to first-time, grassroot candidate Sam Brown Petsonk in the final days of the race—that is how important health care is to West Virginia voters.”

Read the polling memo released here.