If he's that bad, he'd probably lose in 2018 regardless. He'll either have to become acceptable to WV voters by then or he'd lose. Still better, for the next four years, to have him in the Republican party.
Look ... He is that bad, and the Republic is better off if we DEFEAT the bastard in 2018. That will be easier to do if he’s running as a demonicrat. The 2018 Republican primary needs to be about finding a good, solid candidate ... not about this sleazeball trying to keep his grip on power.