Taxpayer Protection Pledge Signer Patrick Morrisey Victorious in West Virginia Gubernatorial Race

Americans for Tax Reform strongly congratulates Governor-elect Patrick Morrisey on his election as Governor of West Virginia. Morrisey is a signer of the Taxpayer Protection Pledge, a written commitment to West Virginia taxpayers that he will oppose and veto any and all efforts to raise state taxes. 

Morrisey’s Democrat opponent, Steve Williams, did not sign the Taxpayer Protection Pledge, leaving the door open to higher taxes on West Virginia families. 

Governor-elect Morrisey has made it clear that he believes that a tax on income is an incentive to work less, and will work to eliminate West Virginia’s state income tax. 

“Reducing taxes is essential to making West Virginia more competitive with our neighboring states and attracting new businesses. By cutting unnecessary government spending and fostering economic growth, we can phase out the income tax without harming essential services. This is a critical step toward boosting West Virginia’s economy and ensuring that our hardworking families keep more of their hard-earned money.” said the governor-elect in October. 

West Virginians can be confident that, under a Morrisey administration, they’ll have a strong taxpayer ally in the governor’s mansion who knows that the hard-earned dollars of West Virginians belong in their pockets, not in the coffers of an overreaching government. 

“I congratulate Taxpayer Protection Pledge signer Patrick Morrisey on winning the West Virginia gubernatorial race. With Governor Morrisey’s public commitment to eliminating the state income tax, West Virginians can be confident he’ll work to make West Virginia a more prosperous place for families, businesses, and future growth.,” said ATR President Grover Norquist. 

Americans for Tax Reform offers the Pledge to all candidates for state and federal office. In addition to Governor Gianforte, 18 other sitting governors are signers of the Taxpayer Protection Pledge.  

Americans for Tax Reform created the Taxpayer Protection Pledge in 1985 to solidify candidates’ commitments to taxpayers. President Reagan urged all candidates to sign the Pledge. He campaigned for and praised candidates who signed the Pledge. Today, over 1,400 elected officials and candidates on the federal and state levels are Taxpayer Protection Pledge signers. 

For the most up-to-date information, please visit the ATR Pledge Database.