MORGANTOWN — With 98 percent of precincts reporting, Rep. David McKinley was on his way Tuesday night to an overwhelming victory and re-election to his House of Representatives 1st District seat.
With 559 of 573 precincts reporting, Republican McKinley had 125,059 votes (64 percent) to Democrat challenger Kendra Fershee’s 69,078 (36 percent).
The margin of victory was in line with all but one of his previous four elections. His closest was his first, in 2010, when he defeated Democrat Mike Oliverio 50.4 percent to 49.6 percent.
He took 62.48 percent of the vote in 2012 against Democrat Sue Thorn, 63.96 percent in 2014 against state Auditor Glen Gainer and 68.97 percent in 2016 against former state Delegate Mike Manypenny.
Taking some time away from an election night party in Morgantown, McKinley said, “I’m honored.” People are acknowledging he’s doing what he said he was going to do.
“I’m more concerned abo the direction of the country.” There was speculation Republicans could see a 50 seat loss in the House, but it wasn’t trending that way around 10 p.m. “It looks like people have given it some thought and decided that’s not the direction they want to go in.”
Democrats could take the majority, he said, but it could remain close enough to build coalitions and get something done.
“The important thing is to continue the policies that have given us such prosperity; I just want to deepen it,” he said. “A lot of folks are enjoying this. But what about some of the other folks? Let’s make sure we touch their hearts as well and help them out. We’ve still got a long way to go and I don’t think we want to reverse course.”
McKinley said a 50-seat shift could have swung the country from the primary issues of economic growth. The new majority might have pursued other tangents that would go nowhere with probably no corresponding Senate support and presidential vetoes.
“All it would be is a diversion from our mission,” he said. That mission is economic growth, making healthcare more accessible and affordable, and – especially in West Virginia – handling the opioid crisis.
“Let’s make sure we don’t lose sight of the ball. …. Stay focused and I think we’ll be fine. … I don’t think it would be fair to say there’s a blue wave, not going the way it’s been.”
West Virginia remained red. In the 2nd District, Rep. Alex Mooney kept his seat; in the 3rd District, Republican Delegate Carol Miller defeated Democrat state Sen. Richard Ojeda.
Fershee, a WVU law professor, could not be reached for comment.
Results are unofficial, pending canvassing.
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