How Republicans Clinched a Supermajority in the West Virginia Legislature — And Why It Matters Now More Than Ever
- louassarowvhouse
- 3 days ago
- 3 min read
In the 2022 election cycle, West Virginia witnessed a dramatic political shift: Republicans expanded their already dominant position to secure a supermajority in both chambers of the state legislature. While this outcome was the result of multiple factors, one structural change played an outsized role — the shift to single-member districts for the House of Delegates.
The Law That Reshaped the Playing Field
In 2021, the West Virginia Legislature passed House Bill 4002, a redistricting law that eliminated all multi-member districts in the House of Delegates. Prior to this, West Virginia was one of the few states that still used multi-member districts, where voters could elect more than one delegate per district. HB 4002 mandated that all 100 House seats be elected from single-member districts starting in 2022.
Supporters of the bill, primarily Republican legislators, argued that single-member districts would improve accountability and ensure that each delegate represented roughly the same number of constituents. But critics raised serious concerns:
Dilution of Democratic strongholds: Multi-member districts had allowed urban and diverse areas — often Democratic-leaning — to elect multiple representatives. Breaking these into smaller, single-member districts fragmented those voting blocs.
Gerrymandering risk: Opponents warned that the redistricting process, controlled by the Republican majority, would be used to draw maps that favored their party — and that’s exactly what many believe happened.
Reduced competition: By carving up districts in ways that favored one party, the new maps discouraged challengers and made many races noncompetitive from the start.
The 2022 Election: A Case Study in Consolidated Power
The impact of HB 4002 was immediate and profound:
Republicans gained 10 additional seats in the House of Delegates, increasing their majority from 78 to 88 out of 100 seats.
In the State Senate, Republicans picked up 7 more seats, bringing their total to 30 out of 34.
After the election, a Democratic senator switched parties, giving Republicans 31 seats — a staggering 91% of the Senate.
This wasn’t just a red wave. It was a structural realignment, engineered in part through redistricting.
Other Factors Behind One-Party Dominance
While redistricting played a pivotal role, it wasn’t the only factor:
National political realignment: Over the past two decades, West Virginia has shifted from a Democratic stronghold to a Republican bastion, particularly in federal elections.
Cultural and economic shifts: The decline of union influence, demographic changes, and national Democratic messaging that some voters perceive as out of touch with Appalachian values have accelerated the GOP’s rise.
Strategic retirements and party switching: Several Democratic incumbents retired or changed parties, further weakening the opposition bench.
Voter turnout disparities: In 2022, turnout was just 42.9% — meaning fewer voters were deciding more powerful outcomes.
The Consequence: No Choice at the Ballot Box
One of the most troubling outcomes of this political consolidation is the erosion of electoral competition. In 2022, dozens of legislative races went uncontested in the general election. In many districts, voters had no choice — just one name on the ballot. That’s not democracy. That’s a coronation. When one party dominates to the point that the other can’t field candidates, voters lose. Debate disappears. Accountability fades. And the policies that emerge reflect the priorities of a narrow slice of the electorate, not the full spectrum of West Virginia voices.
A Call to Serve — and to Give Voters a Choice
This is why I’m running for the West Virginia House of Delegates. Not because I expect it to be easy — but because I believe voters deserve a choice. Democracy only works when people participate, and that includes stepping up to run for office.
If you’ve ever thought about serving your community, now is the time. If you’ve ever looked at your ballot and wished for more options, you’re not alone. And if you believe, as I do, that no choice at the ballot box is not a choice at all — then join me.
Let’s give West Virginians something they haven’t had in too many districts for too long: a real choice, and a real future. I'm Lou Assaro, and I'm running for the West Virginia House of Delegates.
