Morris

ELKINS — A longtime Randolph County official has announced his candidacy for a state senate seat in the 2024 election.

Robbie Morris filed papers on May 24 to run as a Republican for the 11th District senate position, which is currently held by Republican Robert Karnes.

“I’ve dedicated my career to growing the economy and communities in Randolph County, and I want to expand that to the 11th Senatorial District and all of West Virginia,” Morris told The Inter-Mountain Tuesday.

“I think the skill set that I provide is working on economic development projects, business growth, workforce development, and infrastructure development such as Corridor H and broadband is exactly what the 11th District needs. It’s what I do on a day-in, day-out basis, and I feel that knowledge and skill set will be very beneficial as a state senator.”

Morris has served as executive director of the Randolph County Development Authority and the West Virginia Wood Technology Center for the past 12 years. He said he has confirmed with legal counsel that he will still be able to serve as the RCDA executive director while running for state senator, and if elected. 

Morris said he will concentrate on several key issues as state senator.

“Obviously, we need to continue working on investments in economic development,” he said. “We need to continue working on regulation reform, tax reform, things of that nature. We need to create a lower cost of living for citizens of the state while creating a business environment that fosters growth and development. Those are the issues that I’ll be most focused on.”

Morris also serves as chairman of the Corridor H Highway Authority, chairman of the West Virginia Broadband Enhancement Council and is past president of the West Virginia Economic Development Council.

“That’s one of the great things that I love about the 11th Senatorial District, is that I already work with a lot of organizations and individuals within the district on these very issues,” he said. “I’m a member of the Hardwood Alliance Zone, the Corridor H Authority, the Region VII Planning & Development Council, and the Broadband Enhancement Council, which is working to expand broadband service to the entire state.

“I already work with many of the counties within the 11th senatorial district on economic, community and workforce development issues. I have always worked on a regional approach because our counties are more successful when we work together.”

Morris previously served as the Elkins-Randolph County Chamber of Commerce director. He ran his father’s human resources consulting business before working for the chamber.

He is a graduate of West Virginia Wesleyan College and has a master’s degree in business administration and a bachelor’s degree in political science. 

Morris graduated from Elkins High School in 2001. He and his wife, Whitney Phillips Morris, have two daughters, Elin, who is 12 years old, and Tinley, who is eight.

“I look forward to meeting a lot of people and talking about the issues within the district, and how we can work to grow and become a stronger region within the state, which makes us a stronger state within the nation,” Morris said. “So I’m just really excited about the opportunity and I’m looking forward to the campaign.”