WV DEMOCRATS CELEBRATE MAJOR ELECTION GAINS, MORE THAN DOUBLE HOUSE DELEGATION AND DOUBLE STATE SENATE MEMBERSHIP
Despite being outspent by millions and facing heavily gerrymandered districts, Democrats make significant gains across West Virginia
For Immediate Release November 4, 2026
CHARLESTON, WV — The West Virginia Democratic Party is celebrating major victories in Tuesday’s general election, with Democrats more than doubling their representation in the House of Delegates, doubling their membership in the State Senate, and winning important races at the county level.
Democrats increased their numbers in the 100-member House of Delegates from nine to 21 and doubled their representation in the 34-member State Senate from two to four. The gains came despite significant Republican financial advantages and legislative districts drawn by Republicans to protect their own political power.
West Virginia Democratic Party Chair Mike Pushkin said, “I’m especially proud that eight of the twelve new Democratic members of the House of Delegates are women making nearly half the caucus women,” said Pushkin. “These victories are a testament to the strength, determination, and leadership of women across West Virginia who stepped forward to fight for their communities and bring a fresh perspective to the Legislature. And in the Senate, a small local businessman in Huntington, DuRon Jackson, defeated a multi-millionaire former Republican candidate for Governor,” added Pushkin.
Pushkin congratulated Democratic candidates across the state, beginning with the party’s federal candidates, Rachel Fetty Anderson, Vince George, and Ace Parsi. “Rachel Fetty Anderson, Vince George, and Ace Parsi deserve tremendous credit for running strong, competitive campaigns against Republican opponents who enjoyed enormous financial and institutional advantages,” said Pushkin. “Despite being outspent by millions of dollars, they took the fight directly to the Republicans, forced them to actually campaign, defend their records, and spend resources in West Virginia that otherwise could have been deployed in competitive races elsewhere in the country. Their efforts helped lay the groundwork for Democratic victories up and down the ballot.”
Pushkin also congratulated Democratic candidates for the Legislature, county commissions, and other local offices, including those who fell short on Election Day.
“Every Democrat who stepped forward to run for office this year deserves our gratitude,” Pushkin said. “They put their names on the ballot, knocked on doors, made phone calls, and gave voters a real choice. Whether they won or lost, they helped rebuild our party and demonstrated that Democrats are ready to compete in every corner of West Virginia.”
Among the most significant victories was a Democratic win in Wood County, where voters elected a Democrat to the House of Delegates for the first time in many years. In another closely watched contest, Josh Holstein, the chairman of the West Virginia Republican Party, narrowly survived his reelection bid by just 86 votes.
“Think about that,” Pushkin said. “The chairman of the Republican Party, with all the advantages of incumbency and the Republican political machine behind him, barely held on to his own seat. That should send a very clear message to Republicans who have taken West Virginia voters for granted.”
Democrats also celebrated important victories in county commission races in Kanawha, Monongalia, and Cabell counties, demonstrating that the party’s resurgence extended beyond legislative races to local government.
Pushkin said the election results reflected growing voter frustration with Republican leadership in Charleston and Washington.
“West Virginia voters spoke loudly and clearly on Tuesday. They’re tired of high gas prices, tired of the blank check Republicans have handed to unregulated data centers, and tired of politicians who ignore the kitchen-table issues that affect everyone,” Pushkin said. “While Republicans have been busy fighting culture wars and catering to powerful special interests, working families have been struggling to afford groceries, gasoline, utilities, and healthcare. Voters sent a message that they want their elected officials focused on making their lives better, not scoring political points.”
Pushkin noted that the Democratic gains were particularly significant because Republicans controlled the redistricting process and drew legislative boundaries designed to maximize their own political advantage.
“Republicans drew these districts to protect themselves, not to provide fair representation for West Virginia voters,” Pushkin said. “They gerrymandered the maps, enjoyed overwhelming financial advantages, and assumed they could coast to victory. But they underestimated the determination of our candidates, the dedication of our volunteers, and the frustration of West Virginia voters.”
Pushkin said the results demonstrate that the Republican Party’s dominance in West Virginia is neither permanent nor inevitable. “We know we still have a lot of work to do, but this election represents a turning point,” Pushkin said. “We more than doubled our numbers in the House of Delegates, doubled our numbers in the State Senate, won important county races, and came within 86 votes of defeating the Republican Party chairman. And we did it against a political machine that had every structural and financial advantage.”
Pushkin credited the gains to strong candidates, grassroots organizing, and a renewed focus on issues affecting working families.
“Our candidates didn’t run away from being Democrats. They stood up for working people, for affordable healthcare, for public education, and for an economy that works for everyone, not just those at the top,” Pushkin said. “They showed that when Democrats compete, organize, and talk about the issues that matter to West Virginians, we can win.”
Pushkin concluded by thanking Democratic voters, campaign staff, volunteers, organized labor, and supporters who helped make the victories possible.
“To everyone who knocked on a door, made a phone call, contributed a dollar, or cast a ballot for a Democrat, thank you,” Pushkin said. “You helped make this happen. We’re going to build on these victories, continue holding Republicans accountable, and work every day to earn the trust of more West Virginians.”
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