WEST VIRGINIA (DC News Now) -- With Jim Justice vacating the West Virginia governor's office for a seat in the U.S. Senate, the state's attorney general, Patrick Morrisey, is governor-elect and will have some challenges in his new administration. There is a demand for higher teacher pay, a funding shortfall in the state's health insurance system and childcare programs, the state employees' retirement system and school voucher programs along with revenue needs for the Department of Corrections. Election Results 2024 But in making the transition at the state capitol, Morrisey is taking stock of an historic first for the Mountain State.   "I am the first-ever governor from the eastern panhandle from Jefferson and Berkeley counties," Morrisey said. "This is a really important opportunity for the eastern panhandle." Morrisey said the region is the state's fastest growing and presents West Virginia with boundless economic opportunity.