West Virginia Leaders Transition To New Roles

The names and faces look familiar, but the job titles held by West Virginia’s state and federal elected officials reflect a new day for governance in the Mountain State.

Two-term Governor Jim Justice has moved on to Washington, after winning election to serve in the United States Senate. There, he joins another former statewide office holder – Representative Riley Moore – who left the State Capitol to serve in the United States Congress.

Perry Bennett

Former Attorney General Patrick Morrisey is now Governor Morrisey after winning election to the open Gubernatorial seat in the 2024 General Election. Inaugural ceremonies for the new Governor were held at the State Capitol on Monday, January 13, where he and other newly elected statewide office holders and members of the judiciary took their oaths of office. Governor Morrisey is one of five elected members of West Virginia’s Board of Public Works taking on a new leadership role in state government in 2025.

Here’s more on West Virginia’s newly elected state and federal office holders:

Governor Patrick Morrisey

The 37th governor of West Virginia, Patrick James Morrisey previously served three four-year terms as the state’s Attorney General. As Attorney General, he championed major legal wins to defend West Virginia and protect West Virginians' constitutional rights, delivering record-setting settlements against drug companies.

During his time in public service, Morrisey has served as a former Chief Counsel to the House of Representatives Energy and Commerce Committee, and an owner of his own law practice. Prior to public office, Morrisey had a distinguished legal career as a former Partner and Practice Chair at a major national law firm. Morrisey is also a former professional Tennis Umpire, and even worked the finals of the U.S. Open.

Morrisey is the son of a World War II veteran and a VA registered nurse. He went on to put himself through Rutgers College and Rutgers School of Law by working multiple jobs while balancing academics and athletics.

Morrisey is married to his wife and First Lady, Denise, and they have one daughter, Julia. He moved to Harpers Ferry in 2006.


Attorney General John “J.B.” McCuskey

The state's 35th Attorney General, John “J.B.” McCuskey has devoted his life to public service, most recently serving two terms as West Virginia State Auditor. Previously, he served two terms in the West Virginia House of Delegates while practicing law in Charleston.

McCuskey earned a degree in Political Communication from The George Washington University. He earned his Juris Doctorate from the West Virginia University College of Law. McCuskey also worked as a civilian for the Department of Defense at the Pentagon in the offices of the Army and Department of Defense General Counsels.

McCuskey is a native of Harrison County, West Virginia. His parents, John and Anne McCuskey, cultivated his deep love of the Mountain State and instilled in him the values of public service. They also instilled in him the value of family and his greatest accomplishment is being a husband and father. McCuskey and his wife Wendy have two daughters, Charlotte Anne and Martha Elizabeth.

If not at the capitol or traveling the beautiful state of West Virginia, you can often find McCuskey at a soccer field or dance practice with his girls, on a run with their dog Pearl, or helping Wendy with her small business in Charleston.


Treasurer Larry Pack

West Virginia’s 26th State Treasurer Larry Pack is a proud life-long West Virginian. Prior to his election as State Treasurer, he served as State Revenue Secretary and Senior Advisor to Governor Jim Justice from 2022 to 2024. He previously served one term representing Kanawha County in the West Virginia House of Delegates.

Born and raised in eastern Kanawha County, Treasurer Pack discovered his love for accounting when he was in high school. He graduated from East Bank High School and earned his B.S. Degree in Accounting from the West Virginia Institute of Technology.

After graduation, Treasurer Pack practiced as a CPA for 12 years with Herman & Cormany CPAs, A.C., where he provided tax, accounting and consulting services to businesses throughout West Virginia. He then co-founded the accounting firm, Pack Hawley Lambert & Burdette, which later merged with Suttle and Stalnaker.

Treasurer Pack has been a successful business entrepreneur for decades and is passionate about job creation, economic growth, and elder care in West Virginia. He was the founder and CEO of Stonerise Healthcare LLC, which served West Virginia and southeastern Ohio through skilled nursing centers, home health, hospice and therapy services from 2009 to 2022. Prior to Stonerise, Treasurer Pack owned and operated six other health care centers across West Virginia.

Treasurer Pack and his wife, Lisa, live in Charleston. They have been blessed with six children and four grandchildren.


Auditor Mark Hunt

West Virginia's 22nd State Auditor Mark Hunt is a lifelong Mountain State resident. Prior to his election as Auditor, Hunt represented the Eighth Senatorial District in the West Virginia Senate. He was first elected to the West Virginia Legislature in 1994 as a member of the House of Delegates, where he served as Rule Making Review Chair, Chair of the Political Subdivisions Committee and Vice Chair of Judiciary Committee as well as a member of the Rules Committee.

Mark was raised in Charleston but spent his weekends and summers in eastern Kanawha County with his grandparents in Belle, where he still has numerous family and friends. Mark graduated from Stonewall Jackson High School in 1979 near the top of his class. He continued his education with a B.A. Degree from the University of Charleston in 1982 in Political Science and Education. Mark further graduated with a M. A. Degree from Marshall University in 1984 in Public Administration. He further graduated with a Juris Doctorate from the University of the District of Columbia in 1994.

Mark served as staff to the State Legislature from 1984 until 1990 leaving that position for law school. His first job out of law school was counsel to then State Auditor Glen Gainer. In late 1994, Mark began his own law practice where he was managing partner of Hunt & Serreno PLLC, then Mark A. Hunt & Associates PLLC. Mark has practiced law for more than 30 years.

He has been married to Tracy Conard Hunt for 27 years, and they are the parents of three sons, Andrew, Mark Jr. and Jackie.


Secretary of State Kris Warner

Kris E. Warner is a sixth generation West Virginian serving as the state's 31st Secretary of State. Prior to his election as Secretary of State, Warner led the West Virginia Economic Development Authority as its Executive Director for the past four years. He previously served as the West Virginia State Director for USDA Rural Development from 2017 - 2021.

The brother of the state's 30th Secretary of State Mac Warner, Kris was born and raised in Charleston, educated in Kanawha County public schools and attended West Virginia University. Prior to his public service, Warner was an entrepreneur and successful real estate developer for more than 30 years.

Kris and his wife Joyce, a public-school teacher in Kanawha County, have been married for 36 years. They have five children - two sons and three daughters - all of whom have attended or are attending the United States Air Force Academy. Kris and Joyce have four grandchildren.


Agriculture Commission Kent Leonhardt

Elected to a third four-year term as the State’s Commissioner of Agriculture, Kent Leonhardt began his service to the State of West Virginia in 2014 when he was elected to the West Virginia State Senate to serve the people of the 2nd Senatorial District.

Kent is a longtime farmer who began his passion for the industry at a young age while still serving in the United States Marine Corps. In the middle of his military career, he bought a farm near Blacksville, West Virginia that had sat abandoned for almost 30 years. The farm, where he still lives today, was purchased in 1982, and started cultivating crops and raising livestock in 1997. For twenty years, Kent, with the help of his wife Shirley, raised sheep, cattle and goats and sold hay when there was a surplus available.

Kent received his formal education at the University of Missouri, earning a Bachelor’s Degree in Wildlife Management. While earning his degree, he took a variety of courses covering issues pertinent to agriculture as well as natural resources and environmental protection. Kent furthered his education by earning a master’s in business management from Central Michigan University.

Besides earning post-secondary degrees, Kent served with the United States Marine Corps for 20 years and retired at the rank of Lieutenant Colonel in 1996. Throughout his service, Kent led multiple joint service assignments in war and peace and received a variety of decorations including Legion of Merit, Combat Action Ribbon and 8 other personal decorations.

Together, Kent and Shirley have three sons and six grandchildren.


U.S. Senator Jim Justice

James C. Justice II was elected to the United States Senate seat formerly held by Senator Joe Manchin III. A lifelong West Virginian, Senator Justice served two terms as West Virginia’s Governor from 2016 – 2024.

During his tenure as Governor of West Virginia, Senator Justice led the state through an era of unprecedented change, driving significant progress in economic development, infrastructure, education, and overall growth.

A native of Beckley, he attended Raleigh County public schools and graduated from Woodrow Wilson High School in 1969 and attended Greenbrier Military Academy as a post-graduate. He went on to Marshall University in Huntington, West Virginia, and was captain of the golf team for two years before earning his undergraduate degree and a master’s in business administration.

As a successful business owner, Justice established Justice Family Farms in Monroe County in 1976. As the largest farmer east of the Mississippi River, Senator Justice’s passion for nature extended to developing Stoney Brook Plantation, a sprawling 15,000-acre hunting and fishing preserve.

Following the passing of his father in 1993, Senator Justice assumed leadership as President and CEO of Bluestone Industries, Inc. and Bluestone Coal Corporation. Over the next 15 years, he oversaw a substantial expansion of diverse businesses, including coal reserves, Christmas tree farms, cotton gins, turfgrass operations, golf courses, and land development projects. Prior to becoming Senator, he helmed 102 companies, demonstrating his expertise in job creation.

In 2009, Senator Justice purchased The Greenbrier Resort in White Sulphur Springs, West Virginia, which faced bankruptcy and workforce cuts. Determined to revitalize the resort, he reversed benefit reductions and made significant investments in renovations and expansions. His visionary leadership attracted prestigious events like the PGA Tour, LIV Golf Tournament, NFL and NBA training camps, and various high-profile acts and conferences to The Greenbrier.

Senator Justice and his wife, Cathy Justice, have been best friends since high school. They recently celebrated their 48th wedding anniversary. The Senator and Cathy have two adult children and spend time spoiling four grandchildren. In addition, they have three dogs: Lucy and Ellie, Boston Terriers, and their famous Babydog, an English Bulldog.


U.S. Representative Riley Moore

Representative Riley Moore was elected in 2024 to the U.S. House of Representative seat formerly held by Representative Alex Mooney, representing West Virginia’s 2nd Congressional District encompassing the northern half of the Mountain State. Prior to his election to Congress, Moore served as West Virginia’s 25th State Treasurer.

Born in Morgantown, Congressman Moore started his career as a welder. He received an undergraduate degree in Government and International Politics from George Mason University and a master’s degree in strategic security studies from the National Defense University at Fort McNair.

For many years, he served as a national security advisor to the Foreign Affairs Committee in the U.S. House of Representatives. He also worked as a contractor with the Department of Homeland Security. He most recently worked in the defense and aerospace industry at Textron.

In 2016, Moore was elected to the West Virginia House of Delegates to represent the 67th District, which includes portions of Jefferson County – including Shepherdstown and his home in Harpers Ferry. He served in House leadership as an assistant majority whip and in 2018 was named the incoming Majority Leader of the House of Delegates.

He and his wife, Mina, reside in Harpers Ferry with their three children.


U.S. Representative Carol Miller

Congresswoman Carol Miller is starting her fourth term in the U.S. House of Representatives, representing West Virginia’s 1st Congressional District.

Prior to her election to Congress in 2018, Congresswoman Miller served in the West Virginia House of Delegates from 2006 to 2018 where she rose to become the first female Majority Whip.

A mother of two and grandmother of seven, Carol Miller is married to her husband Matt, and lives in Huntington, where she owns and operates Swann Ridge Bison Farm and manages real estate. Miller was born in Columbus, Ohio and is the daughter of Congressman Samuel L. Devine and Betty Devine.