WV AG Morrisey leads gubernatorial field by double digits: poll

West Virginia Attorney General Patrick Morrisey, should he choose to enter the race, would join the Republican Party's gubernatorial primary as a clear favorite, a recent poll has shown.

The latest National Research Inc. poll, commissioned by Black Bear PAC, showed the state's top cop claiming 28% support, compared to nearest competitor, state Rep. Moore Capito, who received 15%, according to Breitbart News. Secretary of State Mac Warner claimed 11%, and no other individual earned double digit support.

Adam Geller and Samantha Barthel of National Research highlighted Morrisey's name recognition and existing approval ratings as a major factor affecting his standing in a potentially crowded primary field.

"If Attorney General Patrick Morrisey were to announce his candidacy for Governor of West Virginia, he would become the instant frontrunner in the Republican Primary," they wrote. "This is based on several factors, including his lead in a hypothetical multi-candidate ballot, his superior name and image ratings compared to the rest of the field, his high job approval, and his extraordinary informed ballot numbers, after voters hear of his record as Attorney General."

Morrisey previously attempted to unseat Sen. Joe Manchin, D-W.V., in 2018, but was unsuccessful. Republican Gov. Jim Justice is widely expected to mount his own challenge to the moderate Democrat in 2024.

Conducted from Feb. 23-28, the poll surveyed 600 likely West Virginia GOP primary voters and has a margin of error of +/- 4%.

Ben Whedon is an editor and reporter for Just the News. Follow him on Twitter.