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Zero Cool's avatar

Yes but important to emphasize the findings of what has been reporting in the polling. It's got more to do with name recognition for Elliott than anything else, not just the fact that Jim Justice has an advantage in the race.

Elliott has in fact been running an all-55 county Senate race which is still going on. He has in fact gotten slow but progressive traction. The main issue though is WV residents knowing him as opposed to any favorability vs. unfavorability factors.

Elliott is running a truly underdog race and one that is actually commendable considering he needs to built name recognition statewide. I have in fact been covering this race on DK and do know from my own research that Elliott is campaigning his ass off. However, in the WV market which is primarily rural, getting name recognition without support from the DSCC and other notable organizations makes it a tough slog for Elliott.

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With Elliott and Williams, the reaction wasn’t so polarized – it was that respondents statewide don’t feel like they know them well.

Elliott was regarded favorably by 27% of respondents and unfavorably by 17% — but 57% said they are not sure.

Williams was viewed favorably by 25% of respondents and unfavorably by 18% — but, again, 57% said they are not sure.

“If you look at both Glenn Elliott and Steve Williams, they both are unknown,” said Rex Repass, president of Research America, which produces The West Virginia Poll.

“It’s a difficult, steep hill when you’ve only got a short time between now and Nov. 5 to introduce yourself and run against a popular governor.”

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Zero Cool's avatar

I will say on a side note:

Win or lose, I think Glenn Elliott has a bright future in WV Democratic Party politics. Depending on how much he's able to chip away at Jim Justice's lead in the polls and eventual margin of votes this November, he still has a shot at potentially running in other statewide races in 2026. Not sure if he wants to make another run for the Senate by challenging Senator Shelley Moore Capito but it may be easier for Elliott to be elected at the state level as opposed to the federal level (House or Senate).

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