{"id":2512418,"date":"2025-11-19T15:04:02","date_gmt":"2025-11-19T20:04:02","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/lawmaker-urges-maryland-and-virginia-counties-to-secede-and-join-west-virginia\/"},"modified":"2025-11-19T15:07:32","modified_gmt":"2025-11-19T20:07:32","slug":"lawmaker-urges-maryland-and-virginia-counties-to-secede-and-join-west-virginia","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/lawmaker-urges-maryland-and-virginia-counties-to-secede-and-join-west-virginia\/","title":{"rendered":"Lawmaker urges Maryland and Virginia counties to secede and join West Virginia"},"content":{"rendered":"<aside class=\"mashsb-container mashsb-main mashsb-stretched\"><div class=\"mashsb-box\"><div class=\"mashsb-count mash-medium\" style=\"float:left\"><div class=\"counts mashsbcount\">24<\/div><span class=\"mashsb-sharetext\">SHARES<\/span><\/div><div class=\"mashsb-buttons\"><a class=\"mashicon-facebook mash-medium mash-nomargin mashsb-noshadow\" href=\"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/sharer.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.conservativenewsdaily.net%2Fbreaking-news%2Flawmaker-urges-maryland-and-virginia-counties-to-secede-and-join-west-virginia%2F\" target=\"_top\" rel=\"nofollow\"><span class=\"icon\"><\/span><span class=\"text\">Facebook<\/span><\/a><a class=\"mashicon-twitter mash-medium mash-nomargin mashsb-noshadow\" href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/intent\/tweet?text=&amp;url=https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/?p=2512418&amp;via=ConservNewsDly\" target=\"_top\" rel=\"nofollow\"><span class=\"icon\"><\/span><span class=\"text\">Twitter<\/span><\/a><a class=\"mashicon-subscribe mash-medium mash-nomargin mashsb-noshadow\" href=\"#\" target=\"_top\" rel=\"nofollow\"><span class=\"icon\"><\/span><span class=\"text\">Subscribe<\/span><\/a><div class=\"onoffswitch2 mash-medium mashsb-noshadow\" style=\"display:none\"><\/div><\/div>\n            <\/div>\n                <div style=\"clear:both\"><\/div><\/aside>\n            <!-- Share buttons by mashshare.net - Version: 4.0.47--><p>West Virginia state Senator Chris Rose is intensifying his campaign encouraging <a href=\"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/greater-idaho-moves-closer-to-bi-state-referendum-as-two-more-oregon-counties-vote-to-leave-2\/\" title=\"\u201cGreater Idaho\u201d Moves Closer to Bi-State Referendum As Two More Oregon ... Vote to Leave\">conservative-leaning counties<\/a> in Maryland and Virginia to secede from their states and join West Virginia, a movement he calls &#8220;An Appeal to Heaven.&#8221; Recently, Rose expanded his proposal to include six additional counties in western Virginia, bringing the total target to 33 jurisdictions across the two states. The campaign emphasizes shared values such as freedom, Second Amendment rights, and rural prosperity, criticizing Maryland and Virginia lawmakers for policies they see as restrictive and out of touch.<\/p>\n<p>Rose supports this effort with a petition promoted by the West Virginia Constitutional Conservatives, which argues that West Virginia offers a refuge from perceived overreach by politicians in Annapolis and Richmond. The proposal references legislation that would allow local votes on switching state affiliation, although such a change would require approval from multiple state legislatures and Congress, presenting significant legal and logistical challenges.<\/p>\n<p>This movement arises in the context of political shifts and dissatisfaction with Democratic leadership in Maryland and Virginia, including controversies involving Maryland Governor Wes Moore and increased Democratic power in Virginia following recent elections. While largely symbolic at present,rose encourages residents to support the petition and push for county-led referendums to join West Virginia.  <\/p>\n<p class=\"readmore\">\n    <button onclick=\"showReadMore()\" id=\"readmorebtn\">Read more&#8230;<\/button>\n<\/p>\n<hr id=\"line\">\n<span id=\"more\"><\/p>\n<p><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><\/p>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><span class=\"tdb-mobile-menu-button\"><i class=\"tdb-mobile-menu-icon td-icon-mobile\"><\/i><\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><span class=\"tdb-header-search-button-mob dropdown-toggle\" data-toggle=\"dropdown\"><i class=\"tdb-mobile-search-icon td-icon-search\"><\/i><\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><span class=\"tdb-mobile-menu-button\"><i class=\"tdb-mobile-menu-icon td-icon-mobile\"><\/i><\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\">\n<div class=\"tdb-drop-down-search\" aria-labelledby=\"td-header-search-button\">\n<div class=\"tdb-drop-down-search-inner\">\n<form method=\"get\" class=\"tdb-search-form\" action=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/\"><\/form>\n<div class=\"tdb-aj-search\"><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p><a href=\"http:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/#\" role=\"button\" aria-label=\"Search\" class=\"tdb-head-search-btn dropdown-toggle\" data-toggle=\"dropdown\"><i class=\"tdb-search-icon td-icon-search\"><\/i><\/a><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\">\n<h1 class=\"tdb-title-text\">Lawmaker urges Maryland and Virginia counties to secede and join West Virginia<\/h1>\n<div><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-title-line\"><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\">\n<div id=\"Brid_2395695\" class=\"tpd-featured-video bridtv\"><\/div>\n<p><a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/tag\/west-virginia\/\">West Virginia<\/a> state Sen. Chris Rose is renewing and expanding his push for conservative-leaning counties in <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/tag\/maryland\/\">Maryland<\/a> and <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/tag\/virginia\/\">Virginia<\/a> to break away from their states and unite with West Virginia &mdash; a campaign he has labeled &ldquo;An Appeal to Heaven.&rdquo;<\/p>\n<p>On Tuesday, Rose <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/x.com\/ChrisRoseWV\/status\/1990828550702903724\">announced on X<\/a> that he was broadening his proposal to include additional counties in western Virginia.<\/p>\n<div class=\"recommended-stories\">\n<h2>Recommended Stories<\/h2>\n<ul>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/news\/campaigns\/state\/3892169\/ron-desantis-urges-gop-produce-results-ahead-2026-instead-of-2028-elections\/\">DeSantis urges GOP to produce &#8216;results&#8217; ahead of 2026 instead of 2028<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/news\/campaigns\/state\/3891813\/adams-era-nypd-commissioner-jessica-tisch-zohran-mamdani\/\">Adams-era NYPD commissioner to stay in role under Mamdani<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/news\/campaigns\/state\/3891692\/judge-orders-texas-schools-to-remove-ten-commandments-displays\/\">Judge orders Texas schools to remove Ten Commandments displays<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"article-paywall\">\n<p>&ldquo;Exciting update on our Appeal to Heaven movement for freedom in Appalachia!&rdquo; Rose wrote. &ldquo;Due to overwhelming interest and support, I&rsquo;m thrilled to announce we&rsquo;ve expanded our Senate resolution inviting even more Virginia counties, along with counties from Maryland, to join West Virginia. Now including Amherst, Bedford, Botetourt, Floyd, Pulaski, and Rockbridge, counties that share our values of freedom, Second Amendment rights, and rural prosperity. Let those country roads take you home. Break free from out of touch policies and unite for a stronger future.&rdquo;<\/p>\n<p>Rose urged residents to &ldquo;take action now,&rdquo; linking to a petition and telling followers to &ldquo;sign the petition in the comments below to support this movement and make your voice heard!&rdquo;<\/p>\n<figure class=\"wp-block-embed is-type-rich is-provider-twitter wp-block-embed-twitter\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-embed__wrapper\">\n<blockquote class=\"twitter-tweet\" data-width=\"550\" data-dnt=\"true\">\n<p lang=\"en\" dir=\"ltr\">Exciting update on our Appeal to Heaven movement for freedom in Appalachia! <\/p>\n<p>Due to overwhelming interest and support, I&#8217;m thrilled to announce we&#8217;ve expanded our Senate resolution inviting even more Virginia counties, along with counties from Maryland, to join West Virginia.&hellip; <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/t.co\/HcSp8yKILb\">pic.twitter.com\/HcSp8yKILb<\/a><\/p>\n<p>&mdash; Senator Chris Rose (@ChrisRoseWV) <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/ChrisRoseWV\/status\/1990828550702903724?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\">November 18, 2025<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\n<p><script data-cfasync=\"false\" src=\"http:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/cdn-cgi\/scripts\/5c5dd728\/cloudflare-static\/email-decode.min.js\"><\/script><script async src=\"https:\/\/platform.twitter.com\/widgets.js\" charset=\"utf-8\"><\/script> <\/div>\n<\/figure>\n<p>He later shared the petition again, writing, &ldquo;Here&rsquo;s the petition to support our Appeal to Heaven movement and invite these counties to join West Virginia for true freedom and prosperity.&rdquo;<\/p>\n<p>The <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/wvconservatives.com\/take-country-roads\">petition<\/a>, promoted by a group calling itself West Virginia Constitutional Conservatives, presents West Virginia as a refuge from what it describes as overreach by lawmakers in Annapolis and Richmond. <\/p>\n<p>&ldquo;For too long, rural communities in Western Virginia and Western Maryland have been ruled by distant politicians in Richmond and Annapolis who don&rsquo;t share our values,&rdquo; the petition reads. The WVCC accuses Maryland and Virginia officials of <a href=\"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/they-must-have-been-cheating-watchdog-group-sues-for-records-relating-to-derogatory-comments-bidens-atf-pick-allegedly-made-against-black-agents\/\" title=\"\u2018They Must Have Been Cheating\u2019: Watchdog Group Sues For Records Relating To Derogatory Comments Biden\u2019s ATF Pick Allegedly Made Against Black Agents\">restricting gun rights<\/a>, raising taxes, &ldquo;indoctrinating&rdquo; children, and advancing &ldquo;radical green experiments.&rdquo;<\/p>\n<p>West Virginia, the group argues, &ldquo;stands strong&mdash;defending freedom, faith, family, and the Constitution&rdquo; and provides &ldquo;a lawful path&rdquo; for counties to vote on switching state lines. It cites a resolution from Rose and prior legislation from Del. S. Chris Anders, who introduced House Bill 2611 to allow border localities to join West Virginia through local elections. That bill died in committee during the 2025 session, but Anders intends to reintroduce it in 2026, according to the petition.<\/p>\n<p>As written, the resolution could require approval from lawmakers in all three states and Congress to take effect. It would also <a href=\"https:\/\/amzn.to\/3YuVZYV\" >raise complex logistical questions<\/a>, particularly in Virginia, where independent cities do not fall under county jurisdiction and could become enclaves inside West Virginia if counties voted to leave.<\/p>\n<p>The six newly named Virginia counties bring Rose&rsquo;s total outreach to 33 jurisdictions: three in Maryland and 30 in Virginia. <\/p>\n<p>His initial push came days after Democratic victories in Virginia, New Jersey, and New York City. The Virginia counties he is courting all backed Republican gubernatorial nominee Winsome Earle-Sears in the most recent election, a pattern Rose has acknowledged as intentional, saying they &ldquo;share our values of freedom, Second Amendment rights, and rural prosperity.&rdquo;<\/p>\n<p>Rose&rsquo;s petition arrives at a time when Gov. <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/tag\/wes-moore\/\">Wes Moore<\/a> (D-MD) has drawn criticism over cost overruns and policy decisions. Moore faced backlash for possibly losing the planned FBI headquarters in Greenbelt, Maryland; the Washington Commanders&rsquo; plans to move back to the District of Columbia; depleting a $5.5 billion state surplus; and signing major tax increases into law.<\/p>\n<p>The<em> Washington Post <\/em>editorial board recently <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/x.com\/NoMooreMD\/status\/1986805371361460521\">blasted<\/a> Moore&rsquo;s redistricting proposal in an op-ed titled, &ldquo;Wes Moore embarrasses Maryland with his gerrymandering ploy,&rdquo; accusing him of attempting to &ldquo;disenfranchise his Republican constituents &hellip; because he wants to be president.&rdquo;<\/p>\n<p>Maryland officials also <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/policy\/infrastructure\/3890965\/ntsb-identifies-loose-wire-probable-cause-preventable-baltimore-bridge-collapse\/\">announced<\/a> this week that reconstruction of Baltimore&rsquo;s Francis Scott Key Bridge, destroyed in a 2024 cargo ship collision, will cost between $4.3 billion and $5.2 billion, more than double the initial estimate, and is now delayed to 2030. The ballooning cost has prompted new political tensions. Online critics have also seized on the revised price tag for Moore, with one X user <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/x.com\/ThomasMHern\/status\/1990669149236809762\">writing<\/a>, &ldquo;This is who Obama wants for President.&rdquo;<\/p>\n<p>In Virginia, Democrats now hold more political power following recent elections that elevated Democrat <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/tag\/abigail-spanberger\/\">Abigail Spanberger<\/a> to the governor&rsquo;s office and expanded Democratic leadership in the legislature. This week, Democrats in the House of Delegates <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/x.com\/ProjectVirginia\/status\/1990533250813677706\">outlined<\/a> their early priorities for the 2026 session, including protections for abortion and LGBT rights, new redistricting efforts, increasing the minimum wage, and expanding paid sick leave.<\/p>\n<p>Rose&rsquo;s campaign remains largely symbolic for now, though he insists there is a legitimate path toward county-led referendums on leaving their states. County governments in Maryland or Virginia have not taken formal action on the proposal.<\/p>\n<p><strong><a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/news\/world\/3890897\/nicki-minaj-nigerian-christian-persecution-demands-urgent-action-unite-humanity\/\">NICKI MINAJ SAYS NIGERIAN CHRISTIAN PERSECUTION DEMANDS &lsquo;URGENT ACTION&rsquo;<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n<p>The petition circulated by Rose concludes with a call for voters to &ldquo;take country roads home to &lsquo;Best Virginia&rsquo;&rdquo; and urges residents to add their names to support the secession effort.<\/p>\n<p>The<em> Washington Examiner <\/em>reached out to Moore&rsquo;s and Spanberger&rsquo;s offices for comment.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><\/div>\n<p><\/span><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Lawmaker urges MD, VA counties to join West Virginia<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2678,"featured_media":2512419,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_mo_disable_npp":"","fifu_image_url":"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/West-VA-map-iStock-501467410.jpg?w=696","fifu_image_alt":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[33651],"tags":[4837,20787,5468,47453],"class_list":["post-2512418","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-the-western-journal","tag-maryland","tag-secession","tag-virginia","tag-west-virginia"],"fifu_image_url":"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/West-VA-map-iStock-501467410.jpg?w=696","_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2512418","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2678"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=2512418"}],"version-history":[{"count":3,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2512418\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":2512422,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2512418\/revisions\/2512422"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/2512419"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=2512418"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=2512418"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=2512418"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}