Denise Morrisey
Denise Morrisey is an American lobbyist who has served as the first lady of West Virginia since 2025. She is a founding member of the lobbying firm Capitol Counsel, based in Washington, D.C.
She is the wife of West Virginia governor Patrick Morrisey.
Early life and education
Morrisey was born on June 5, 1964 in Omaha, Nebraska. She graduated from George Washington University with a Bachelor of Arts.Career
Morrisey founded Strategic Health Solutions, a boutique and consulting firm in 2002. She is also a co-founder of The Legislative Strategies Group, a healthcare practice firm focused on pharmaceuticals, biotechnology, and medical devices.Morrisey lobbied on opioids for Cardinal Health, the state of West Virginia's lead opioid supplier, from 1999 to 2016, which became the subject of controversy and media speculation regarding possible family ties to Big Pharma.
In 2018, it was revealed that Planned Parenthood had paid Morrisey more than $460,000 for lobbying.
Morrisey became first lady of West Virginia when her husband, Patrick Morrisey, was sworn in as the 37th governor of West Virginia on January 13, 2025, after being elected in the 2024 West Virginia gubernatorial election.