It was always a Dixiecrat state, but Robert C Byrd kept it in the Democratic column, and so did Jay Rockefeller. It voted for Carter, LBJ, JFK, Truman & Clinton. It became a GOP, after Byrd.
It's still not "GOP" at the state level.
Yes it is. The GOP has both chambers of the state legislature now.
And they've done wonders with the place.
Again, the story of WV is coal and whatever Byrd could drag into the state. Without that it's just a place to take care of the elderly, disabled and drug addicts until they die.
That's a good way to keep losing elections. Idk if you're a Democrat or not, but folks in the national party deride Red-state blue-collar Americans and then wonder why they lose. Surprise!
