US Election Result: Trump wins Republican stronghold of West Virginia, say AP & CNN

Republican candidate former President Donald Trump has won the Red State of West Virginia, the AP and CNN have called.

With this, Trump has won four more electoral college votes.

So far (7:40 pm ET, Nov. 5), the AP and CNN have called Kentucky, Indiana, and West Virginia for Trump.

In the race to win 270 of 538 Electoral College votes to win the election, Trump has so far won 23 votes against Harris’ three.

The state of West Virginia offers a unique profile in US politics due to its demographic composition and voting patterns. West Virginia is a predominantly rural state with a relatively small and homogenous population. It is one of the least diverse states in the US, with around 92 per cent White residents. Black voters make up around 3.5 per cent and the remaining demographic groups, including Asians and migrants, are quite small in number.

Voter demographics

In 2020, the state had about 1.4 million eligible voters​. The state leans heavily toward older, rural voters and its median age is one of the highest in the country. Younger voters and minorities have relatively low turnout rates compared to national averages, reflecting the state’s general demographic makeup.

Past voting patterns

Historically, West Virginia was a Democratic stronghold, supporting Democratic presidential candidates from the New Deal era through the 1990s. However, since the 2000s, the state has shifted sharply to the right. It has voted for the Republican candidate in every presidential election since 2000 and is now considered solidly red. This shift is largely attributed to the decline of coal mining, the state’s economic backbone and the national Democratic Party’s perceived shift away from the interests of rural, working-class voters.

Swing state status and importance

West Virginia is no longer considered a swing state due to its solid Republican lean in recent elections. It is unlikely to play a significant role in future presidential elections compared to swing states like Pennsylvania or Ohio. However, its electoral votes can still contribute to a Republican victory, given its reliability as a red state.

Contribution to US presidents

West Virginia has not produced a US president, although it has played significant roles in past elections, especially during the era when it was a Democratic stronghold​.

Memorable elections

One memorable election was the 1960 Democratic primary. This was pivotal for John F Kennedy, as his victory over Hubert Humphrey in a largely Protestant state helped demonstrate that a Catholic candidate could win in the U.S., solidifying Kennedy’s path to the presidency​.

West Virginia’s political evolution offers insight into broader trends in American politics, particularly the changing alignments of rural and working-class voters.