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Now that the state Legislative session is over, focus now turns to the many contested Republican primaries for higher office, though now that President Joe Biden has enough delegates for his Democratic Party nomination and former President Donald Trump has enough delegates for the Republican Party nomination, I see interest waning in our state elections until closer to the primaries now.
One race Republican and independent voters are sleeping on is the GOP primary for the 2nd Congressional District. There are five in that race: State Treasurer Riley Moore, retired West Virginia National Guard general Chris "Mookie" Walker, Joe Earley, Nate Cain, and Alexander Gaaserud.
Moore -- a scion of the political dynasty began by the late Gov. Arch Moore (grandfather) and carried on by U.S. Sen. Shelley Moore Capito (aunt) and former lawmaker and GOP candidate for governor Moore Capito (cousin) -- was the first to jump in the race in November 2022.
Walker, a newcomer to politics, didn't jump into the race until January and had only been known in National Guard circles previously.
The Walker campaign released an internal poll last week they think looks good for them, though I see it differently. The poll, conducted by 1892 Polling between March 4-6 with a mix of live calls and texts, included 400 likely primary voters.
According to that poll, Moore has 20%, followed by Earley with 6%. Walker, Cain, and Gaaserud all received 5%, and 60% were undecided.
Now, when told about Walker's political platform, his numbers rise to 61%, with Moore dropping to 9%, the other three candidates each receiving 1%, and 27% undecided. But that kind of poll is virtually meaningless. Moore and Walker's platform is not dissimilar, but Moore has been in the race longer, he defeated a long-time Democratic incumbent for state treasurer, and he has a statewide platform as state treasurer.
What the numbers really show is that voters are simply not engaged with that race. It's going to come down to name recognition. Walker is certainly the closest competition to Moore, with the other three candidates split up part of fringe right vote. But it would be a mistake to believe the bulk of those 60% of undecideds break for Walker.