ELKINS — Del. Elias Coop-Gonzalez (R) is pushing back against renewed efforts to reopen the Republican Party’s primary elections, warning that reversing course would undermine conservative values and the will of party members.
Del. Coop-Gonzalez said he opposes what he described as a “short-sighted push” within the West Virginia Republican Party to undo its 2024 decision to close GOP primaries to registered Republicans only.
“I condemn the short-sighted push from some in the West Virginia GOP — particularly by those who subvert conservative policies — to reverse the party’s 2024 decision to close our primaries only to fellow Republicans,” Coop-Gonzalez told the Elkins Mail.
He said the move to close the primaries was necessary after years of allowing non-Republicans to influence GOP nominations.
“After decades of allowing outsiders to influence our nominees, closing the primaries was the right move to ensure only committed Republicans pick our candidates,” Coop-Gonzalez said. “Reopening them would dilute conservative principles, risk moderate sabotage in a deep-red state, and betray the loyal party members who built our supermajority.”
Coop-Gonzalez urged party leaders to hold the line as they consider the issue, saying the integrity of the party is at stake.
“Stand firm,” he said. “Keep the primaries closed and protect the integrity of the WV GOP.”
The comments come as Republican leaders prepare to revisit the issue after a resolution to reopen the party’s primaries failed in committee last week. The proposal is expected to be reintroduced on the floor.
Republican officials are scheduled to decide this weekend whether the party’s primaries will remain closed to voters who are not registered Republicans. The meeting is set for Saturday, January 10, 2026, at 1 p.m. at the Four Points by Sheraton hotel in Charleston.
