West Virginia Lawmakers Propose Welcoming Disaffected Virginians
State and federal lawmakers in West Virginia are extending an invitation to unhappy Virginians following a significant Democratic win in this week’s elections, which saw Abigail Spanberger and Jay Jones emerge victorious.
Historically, Virginia and West Virginia were united until June 1863. The “Wheeling Convention” ultimately allowed representatives from the western counties to opt out and secede from Virginia in an effort to avoid forced secession from the Union.
Now, there’s talk of reconciliation. On Thursday, West Virginia lawmakers revealed a proposal inviting several counties from Western Virginia, as well as parts of Maryland’s Western Panhandle, to join the state.
Much of what comprises modern-day West Virginia has a history of opposing slavery. Notably, abolitionist John Brown led a famous raid on a federal armory in Jefferson County to incite a slave uprising.
Fast forward over a century, and State Senator Chris Rose introduced a bill aiming to reunite West Virginia with various conservative counties that extend from Virginia down into Tennessee and North Carolina. The plan includes inviting areas like Brand and Luray to officially become part of West Virginia, effectively covering hundreds of miles from Big Stone Gap to Jonesville and northward through Tazewell.
The proposed map significantly adjusts the political landscape, merging areas in West Virginia’s eastern panhandle with similar regions in Virginia.
Senator Rose noted that the targeted areas share connections in geography, economy, culture, and a strong Appalachian heritage, emphasizing a rural lifestyle and individual freedoms.
This initiative follows Governor Patrick Morrisey’s recent call for Virginians to reconnect with their West Virginia neighbors. Senator Jim Justice, a Republican, remarked that the proposal echoes sentiments from the 1860s, a time of significant political change.
A spokesperson for the Justice Department pointed out that this new movement highlights a juxtaposition between effective governance in West Virginia compared to perceived failures in Virginia’s leadership.
Justice’s press secretary told local outlets that the invitation for discontented Virginians emphasizes that West Virginia is indeed a “diamond in the rough” for those looking to live comfortably.
Interestingly, in 2020, Justice and evangelical leader Jerry Falwell Jr. referred to a previous invitation for Frederick County families to join West Virginia, suggesting a long-standing interest in territorial realignment.
While Virginia’s Lieutenant Governor Winsome Earle Sears has not specifically endorsed border changes, she has suggested establishing a second governor’s office in southwest Virginia to address the concerns of often-overlooked populations in rural areas.
These attempts highlight the significant differences in political attitudes between Richmond and the more conservative regions to the west. Amid a messy political landscape, the question remains—will this call for reunification attract those looking for a change?
