West Virginia politics shifted as Democrats took control from Republicans in 1933. Governor William Conley, a Republican, had tried to help suffering families, but state funds were running out.

Voters strongly supported Democrats Roosevelt for president and H. Guy Kump (pictured left) for governor in the 1932 election. However, Democrats split into two groups: Governor Kump’s group controlled state jobs and often opposed New Deal programs, while Senator Matthew Neely’s group supported the New Deal and brought in federal dollars.

Governor Homer Holt (pictured right), elected in 1936, followed Kump’s conservative policies. While state leaders were proud of reducing debt, they spent very little on schools, roads, and other services compared to other states.