DARRELL MCGRAW DEFEATED Patrick Morrisey Defeats Longtime Attorney General Darrell McGraw
Reported by: Associated Press
Web Producer: Jeff Morris
Reported: Nov. 7, 2012 8:43 AM EST
Updated: Nov. 7, 2012 9:19 AM EST
Eyewitness News Photo
Charleston
, Kanawha County
, West Virginia
Republican Patrick Morrisey has denied state Attorney General Darrell McGraw a sixth term.
Morrisey upset the Democrat Tuesday after a well-funded campaign that frequently invoked President Barack Obama, who is unpopular in the state. With 99 percent of precincts reporting, Morrisey had 51 percent and McGraw 49 percent.
Morrisey has vowed to fight the federal health care overhaul in West Virginia. He also plans to use the office to combat regulations he believes hurt the economy. In a statement about his victory, Morrisey said, "With your help, West Virginia made a significant change tonight that was long overdue." He said he would serve in an "honorable and effective manner."
McGraw's longtime aide, Fran Hughes, told the Charleston Daily Mail that "the voters have spoken and there is not really anything else to say." She told the newspaper that the election results would be "bad for consumers."
McGraw was first elected attorney general in 1992. McGraw argued that he's helped the state by enforcing its consumer protection and antitrust laws.
But some of McGraw's lawsuits have angered business groups, who supported Morrisey.
Morrisey is an Eastern Panhandle resident who has practiced law in Washington, D.C. He was also a GOP staffer and committee lawyer on Capitol Hill. He previously ran for Congress in New Jersey.
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Associated Press
