Restoring Open Republican Primaries in West Virginia: A Strategic Call to Action for 2026

Why the 2026 Election Cycle Demands Action Now

As the West Virginia Republican Party looks ahead to the 2026 election cycle, decisions made today will shape not only our nominees but the long-term strength, credibility, and growth of our Party across the state. One such decision—whether Republican primaries should be open or closed—deserves careful reconsideration.

On December 9, 2025, the Monongalia County Republican Executive Committee (MCREC) adopted a formal resolution urging the West Virginia Republican State Executive Committee to reverse its January 27, 2024 decision to close Republican primaries and to restore fully open Republican primaries beginning with the 2026 election cycle.

This action was not taken lightly. It reflects both our local experience and our longstanding commitment to conservative principles: free and fair elections, local control, individual rights, and expanding opportunity for citizens and businesses. More importantly, it is rooted in a strategic belief that the Republican Party in West Virginia grows stronger—not weaker—when more conservatives are welcomed into the process of choosing our nominees.

The MCREC’s Platform and Pledge and Republican First Principles

In December 2020, the Monongalia County Republican Executive Committee adopted its “Platform and Pledge to the People of Monongalia County,” affirming several core commitments that remain as relevant today as they were then. Among them:

- Support for free and fair elections in accordance with the U.S. Constitution and the Constitution of the State of West Virginia

- A belief that local dilemmas deserve local solutions without sacrificing the autonomy of subdivisions or the rights of individuals

- A commitment to expanding opportunity, promoting prosperity, and encouraging business growth

- An understanding that the role of the Republican Party is to promote and encourage Republicans to run for office and to win elections

These principles are not abstract. They guide how we govern ourselves as a party and how we engage voters who share conservative values but may not choose to affiliate formally with any political party.

After careful review, the MCREC concluded that the 2024 decision to close Republican primaries directly conflicts with these commitments.

West Virginia is not a monolithic electorate. Across the state—and especially in Monongalia County—there exists a substantial and growing population of unaffiliated voters who consistently support conservative principles.

In Monongalia County, unaffiliated voters represent one of the highest percentages of the electorate in the state. Many are:

- Small business owners and entrepreneurs

- Military veterans and their families

- Young professionals and first-time voters

- Conservatives who value limited government and economic freedom but resist party registration

These voters often support Republican candidates in general elections, volunteer for conservative causes, and contribute to Republican campaigns. Yet under a closed primary system, they are denied any voice in choosing the Republican nominees they are later asked to support.

From a strategic standpoint, this is not merely a philosophical concern—it is a practical one. Closing the primary excludes thousands of conservative-leaning voters from the earliest and most formative stage of the electoral process.

Open Primaries as a West Virginia Tradition

Open Republican primaries are not a radical experiment in West Virginia. They are a longstanding tradition.

For decades, open primaries have produced strong, broadly acceptable Republican candidates across the state. They have helped the Party grow in competitive regions, expand turnout, and ensure that nominees are tested and validated by a wide cross-section of conservative voters.

Importantly, there is no evidence that open primaries in West Virginia have resulted in systematic sabotage of Republican nominees. To the contrary, experience at the county level—including in Monongalia County—demonstrates that open primaries encourage participation, legitimacy, and party growth.

The MCREC resolution explicitly affirms this history, noting that open primaries have consistently strengthened Republican candidates and helped the Party remain competitive, even in challenging political environments.

Strategic Risks of Closed Primaries

From a statewide strategic perspective, closed primaries introduce several risks that should concern every Republican leader:

1. Reduced Participation and Turnout

Closed primaries erect an artificial barrier that discourages participation by conservative voters who are otherwise reliable supporters in general elections. Lower primary participation can lead to weaker nominee selection and reduced enthusiasm heading into November.

2. Undermining Local Control

County parties understand their local electorates better than any centralized authority. A uniform closed-primary rule undermines the principle that local dilemmas deserve local solutions—particularly in counties with high numbers of unaffiliated conservative voters.

3. Legitimacy of Nominees

Candidates selected by a narrower electorate may struggle to claim a broad conservative mandate. Open primaries help ensure that Republican nominees are representative of the wider conservative coalition they must ultimately lead.

4. Long-Term Party Growth

The Republican Party grows by inviting conservatives in—not by placing procedural hurdles in their way. Closed primaries send the opposite message at a time when coalition-building is essential.

A Forward-Looking Vision for 2026 and Beyond

The MCREC resolution is not a critique of the past; it is a roadmap for the future.

By restoring open Republican primaries for the 2026 election cycle and thereafter, the West Virginia Republican Party can:

- Reaffirm its commitment to free and fair elections

- Welcome unaffiliated conservatives into meaningful participation

- Strengthen turnout and engagement statewide

- Produce nominees who reflect the full spectrum of conservative voters

- Position the Party for long-term success in both primary and general elections

As stated by MCREC Chair Dale Sparks following adoption of the resolution:

“The Republican Party grows when more conservatives are welcome, not fewer. By inviting unaffiliated but like-minded voters into our primary process, we strengthen our ticket from top to bottom and better serve the people of Monongalia County.”

That principle applies just as powerfully at the statewide level.

A Call to Action for County Committees

The Monongalia County Republican Executive Committee does not stand alone in this effort—and we should not.

We encourage fellow county Republican executive committees across West Virginia to review the issue carefully, assess their own local electorates, and consider adopting similar resolutions urging the restoration of open Republican primaries.

County-level voices matter. When local committees speak collectively, they provide invaluable guidance to the State Executive Committee and help ensure that party rules reflect on-the-ground realities.

A Call to Action for Republican Leaders and Activists

We also urge Republican activists, candidates, and voters to engage directly with their elected representatives who serve on the West Virginia Republican State Executive Committee.

Let them know that:

- Open primaries strengthen the Party

- Unaffiliated conservatives deserve a voice

- Local control matters

- The 2026 election cycle is too important to risk reduced participation

Respectful, informed engagement is how Republican leadership remains accountable to the grassroots it represents.

Grow the Party by Removing Barriers

The question before the West Virginia Republican Party is not whether we trust our voters—it is whether we are willing to welcome all conservatives into the process of shaping our future.

The Monongalia County Republican Executive Committee believes that restoring open Republican primaries is consistent with Republican principles, West Virginia tradition, and sound electoral strategy. It honors our pledge to the people, strengthens our nominees, and positions the Party for success in 2026 and beyond.

We stand ready to work with sister county committees and the State Executive Committee to remove artificial barriers, expand participation, and grow the Republican Party across West Virginia—together.