2008 West Virginia gubernatorial election

For related races, see 2008 United States gubernatorial elections.

The 2008 West Virginia gubernatorial election took place on November 4, 2008. Incumbent Governor Joe Manchin was the Democratic nominee, challenged by Republican nominee Russ Weeks and Mountain Party candidate Jesse Johnson. Manchin won every county in the state and was reelected by the largest margin for any gubernatorial candidate in West Virginia's history. Manchin won by over 44%, even as Barack Obama, the Democratic presidential nominee, lost the state to John McCain in the concurrent presidential election. As of 2025, this is the last time that Doddridge County has voted for a Democratic candidate for statewide office.

2008 West Virginia gubernatorial election

← 2004 November 4, 2008 2011 (special) →

Nominee Joe Manchin Russ Weeks Party Democratic Republican Popular vote 492,697 181,612 Percentage 69.81% 25.73%

County results Manchin:      50–60%      60–70%      70–80%      80–90%

Governor before election Joe Manchin Democratic Elected Governor Joe Manchin Democratic

Party primaries

Democratic Party

• Mel Kessler, State Delegate
• Joe Manchin, incumbent Governor of West Virginia

Democratic primary results^[1]

Party		Candidate	Votes	%
	Democratic	Joe Manchin (incumbent)	264,775	74.62
	Democratic	Mel Kessler	90,074	25.38
Total votes			354,849	100.00

Republican Party

• Russ Weeks, former State Senator

Republican primary results^[1]

Party		Candidate	Votes	%
	Republican	Russ Weeks	81,019	100.00
Total votes			81,019	100.00

General election

Predictions

Source	Ranking	As of
The Cook Political Report[2]	Safe D	October 16, 2008
Rothenberg Political Report[3]	Safe D	November 2, 2008
Sabato's Crystal Ball[4]	Safe D	November 3, 2008
Real Clear Politics[5]	Safe D	November 4, 2008

Polling

Poll Source	Dates administered	Joe Manchin (D)	Russ Weeks (R)
Rasmussen Reports[6]	October 20, 2008	71%	21%
Public Policy Polling[7]	October 30, 2008	69%	27%

Results

West Virginia gubernatorial election, 2008^[8]

Party		Candidate	Votes	%	±%
	Democratic	Joe Manchin (incumbent)	492,697	69.81%	+6.30%
	Republican	Russ Weeks	181,612	25.73%	−8.27%
	Mountain	Jesse Johnson	31,486	4.46%	+1.99%
Margin of victory			311,085	44.08%	+14.57%
Total votes			705,795	100%
	Democratic hold		Swing

Counties that flipped from Republican to Democratic

• Berkeley (largest municipality: Martinsburg)
• Doddridge (largest municipality: West Union)
• Grant (largest municipality: Petersburg)