The Times West Virginian

Local News

July 15, 2012

Trending conservative?

Party leaders differ on what drives West Virginia voters

FAIRMONT — If you’ve been involved or interested in politics in West Virginia, you may have heard the phrase “Roosevelt Democrat” many times.

Franklin, by the way, not Teddy.

It’s a way to say that the Democrat in question believes in the social programs in the post-Great Depression era — the ones that take care of the sick, the needy and the elderly. But it’s also a tongue-in-cheek way of saying that the person’s political affiliation is somewhat outdated, that they are more conservative than their voter’s registration card says.

Look at West Virginia, for example. Established into statehood in 1863, the upper-level elected officials were, in fact, Republicans. Lincoln Republicans. Then there was a stretch of time between the 1870s and the turn of the century when Democrats took over the executive offices of the state, as well as the seats at the U.S. Capitol. Then the Republican party was a stronghold until 1932.

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