ELECTORAL VOTES 5

2008 ELECTION Leaning McCain

ABOUT
WEST VIRGINIA

West Virginia, which seceded from Virginia (which itself had seceded from the Union) during the Civil War, became its own state in June 1863. It and Nevada were the only states admitted during the war, although Kansas became a state in early 1861, just a couple months before the hostilities began. Although the state sided with George Bush in both 2000 and by a fairly wide 56% to 43% margin in 2004, the state is primarily Democratic at the local and state levels. Of the presidential elections from statehood through 2004, voters went Democratic 20 out of 36 times. Much of this back –and forth (at least in recent history) can be attributed to the shifting views of the large blue-collar vote in the state. While leaning “red” in 2008, West Virginia could become a swing state, depending on the eventual match-up.