Senate Joint Resolution 19, introduced by Republican Sen. Rupie Phillips, proposes adding a line to the state Constitution mandating that gubernatorial candidates be born in West Virginia. The measure would also need voter approval before it could take effect.
Phillips told WCHS on Thursday that he plans to amend the resolution so that candidates must have lived in the state for 30 years rather than being born there, based on feedback from constituents. That amendment had not been made as of Thursday afternoon.
Currently, gubernatorial candidates must be at least 30 years old, have resided in West Virginia for at least five years, and be a citizen eligible to vote.
Of the 37 governors in West Virginia’s history, 10 were born out of state—the most recent being current governor Patrick Morrisey, born in New York and raised in New Jersey.
Six of those governors served during the first 50 years of statehood. The four most recent out-of-state governors were William Marland (1953–57), Jay Rockefeller (1977–85), Bob Wise (2001–05), and Morrisey.
The resolution has been sent to the Senate Judiciary Committee for consideration.