Fresh Perspectives

The government’s system of checks and balances—made to ensure that no one entity has too much power over another—divides the government into three branches: legislative, executive and judicial. This structure helps maintain accountability within the state and federal government so both can operate efficiently. West Virginia’s executive branch was established in 1863 and has evolved over time, including the addition of an elected agriculture commissioner, secretary of state becoming an elected role and the removal of the superintendent of schools.

The primary role of West Virginia’s executive branch is to execute the laws made by the legislative branch. It consists of six elected members: governor, treasurer, auditor, attorney general, secretary of state and agriculture commissioner. In 2024, the Mountain State elected an almost entirely new executive branch, apart from Agriculture Commissioner Kent Leonhardt. This new leadership brings fresh perspectives to the state’s executive branch as it works to address current challenges and shape the future of the Mountain State.

Patrick Morrisey: Governor

As the newly elected governor of West Virginia and head of the executive branch, Patrick Morrisey is tasked with leading the state, making executive decisions and guiding its overall direction. Having served as attorney general for the past 12 years, Morrisey brings his experience defending the rights of the state and its citizens to his new role.

As governor, Morrisey will work to revitalize the state’s economy, which includes supporting the policies that work to enhance the coal and natural gas industries and creating an economic “Backyard Brawl,” where West Virginia will aim to have lower taxes compared to surrounding states. Morrisey also hopes to improve quality of life in the state and plans to tackle the drug epidemic, work to improve health care and expand infrastructure.

Another important initiative for Morrisey is education, and as governor, he plans to give parents the opportunity to choose where their children will go to school as well as work to employ quality teachers and expand workforce
development programs.

“I’m honored to serve the people of West Virginia. Our state is rich in natural beauty, hardworking families and resilient communities,” Morrisey says. “Together, we have so much potential, and I’m focused on making sure every West Virginian has the opportunity to succeed and thrive. I’ll continue to work tirelessly to improve our state while protecting our freedom and values.”

J.B. McCuskey: Attorney General

J.B. McCuskey, West Virginia’s newest attorney general, has been inspired from an early age to work in public service. He earned his degree from George Washington University and gained experience working in the U.S. Department of Defense at the Pentagon before returning to the Mountain State to work in state government. His background in law and government transparency will serve him well as he begins his role as the new attorney general.

McCuskey was elected to the West Virginia House of Delegates in 2012, where he worked across party lines to establish policies that would be beneficial to the entire state. He became the second-youngest state auditor in the state’s history in 2017, and in that role, focused on financial efficiency, preventing fraud and government transparency.

“I bring a myriad of experience in local and state government to my role in the Attorney General’s Office,” McCuskey says. “I plan to use that understanding and my life experience when tackling problems throughout the government and state.”

As attorney general, McCuskey plans to defend West Virginians from external threats like outside policies targeting its energy industry. He is currently leading a coalition challenging New York’s Climate Superfund Act, a piece of legislation aiming to impose financial burdens on coal, oil and natural gas producers. He is also committed to protecting the rights granted by the Second Amendment by expanding gun reciprocity agreements. Fighting the opioid epidemic is important to him as well, and he plans to ensure settlement funds from drug manufacturers are used to combat the crisis.

Mark Hunt: Auditor

Newly elected State Auditor Mark Hunt has spent his career dedicated to public service. He has served multiple terms in the West Virginia House of Delegates and Senate, where he served Kanawha, Putnam, Jackson, Roane and Clay counties. His time in the Legislature was spent working on policy issues like economic and infrastructure development, judicial reform and pension security. As vice chair of the Pensions Committee, Hunt gained experience in fiscal responsibility, legislative oversight and the financial challenges state and local governments face. Hunt will also use his background as an attorney to manage taxpayer dollars to best serve the state and its people.

Hunt says he is committed to bettering financial integrity at all levels of government and protecting citizens from fraud, waste and abuse. His top three initiatives while in office are to expand public access to financial data, increase investigative actions to help prevent the government from mismanaging finances and introducing new technology that will help improve efficiency and financial reporting in the state.

“My focus as state auditor is to ensure that West Virginians can trust their government to be transparent, accountable and fiscally responsible,” Hunt says. “I am committed to strengthening oversight measures and working with stakeholders across the state to promote financial integrity and efficiency.”

Kris Warner: Secretary of State

Elected as West Virginia’s newest secretary of state, Kris Warner brings more than three decades of political experience within the Republican Party to the position. Previously, Warner served as state party chairman as well as West Virginia National Committeeman during President Donald Trump’s 2016 election, among various other leadership roles. One of Warner’s prominent initiatives involves advocating for election integrity and stronger penalties for election violations.

Warner has extensive experience beyond politics as well, serving as a small business owner, real estate developer and entrepreneur for more than 40 years. His public service includes roles as state director for USDA Rural Development and, later, executive director of the West Virginia Economic Development Authority to which he was appointed by then-Governor Jim Justice in 2021.

As secretary of state, Warner plans to work with the state’s county clerks to ensure elections remain fair and well managed. He plans to help identify federal and state funding that can be used to purchase new equipment that will not be connected to the internet to further secure the voting process. Warner is passionate about small businesses and aims to work with the Legislature, congressional delegation and Governor’s Office to push West Virginia further toward being a place small businesses and startups can thrive.

Larry Pack: Treasurer

Larry Pack, West Virginia’s treasurer, has gained extensive experience in finance, accounting and government. He previously served as senior advisor and state revenue secretary for Justice, gaining insight into the state’s financial operations. A certified public accountant for 12 years, he co-founded Pack Hawley Lambert & Burdette, which later merged with Suttle & Stalnaker. In 2020, he was elected to represent Kanawha County in the West Virginia House of Delegates.

Pack also has a strong background in health care. He founded Stonerise Healthcare, which provided skilled nursing, home health, hospice and therapy services across West Virginia and southeastern Ohio until 2022. Before that, he owned and operated six health care centers statewide, creating jobs and expanding access to quality care.

As treasurer, Pack prioritizes financial literacy, supporting Hope Scholarship enrollment and school choice. He is committed to fighting environmental, social and governance policies that threaten West Virginia’s fossil fuel industry and working with industry leaders to streamline government operations and ensure respectful use of taxpayer dollars.

“My top priority is to be an active chief financial officer for the state of West Virginia by working with Governor Patrick Morrisey and the Legislature to reduce the size of state government and get money back into the pockets of hardworking West Virginians as we continue to march toward the elimination of the state’s personal income tax,” Pack says.