The new member: Sen.-elect Jim Justice (R-W.Va.)
How they got here: Justice, West Virginia’s sitting governor, easily defeated Democrat Glenn Elliott by more than 40 percentage points to flip control of this Senate seat for Republicans.
Inside the campaign: Since announcing his Senate bid in April 2023, Justice was the heavy favorite for this key GOP flip opportunity. He easily dispatched Rep. Alex Mooney (R-W.Va.) in the GOP primary by more than 35 percentage points.
Justice is termed out as governor, making the Senate a tempting opportunity. His push got even easier when longtime Sen. Joe Manchin (I) announced he would not run for reelection. “I will tell you just this, with all in me, you shook up the world, we shook up the world … and now the challenges are unbelievable with what’s going on in D.C.,” Justice said at his victory speech.
The issues he’ll focus on: Justice has told reporters in West Virginia he hopes to nab spots on the Finance and Energy committees. He’s been especially critical of the Biden administration for its policies on energy and the southern border, topics he’s sure to focus on once a member of the Senate.
One non-policy matter of interest will be Justice’s attendance. People from both political parties detailed the governor’s iffy attendance record in the state to POLITICO earlier this year. Others fear health issues could complicate his participation in routine Senate business.
Background: Justice is one of the wealthier people in West Virginia, having inherited a coal mining company and owning the financially troubled Greenbrier luxury resort.
He won election to the governor’s office in 2016 as a Democrat but quickly reversed course and became a Republican less than seven months later. He easily won reelection in 2020 and has enjoyed high approval ratings throughout his tenure as governor.
Campaign ad that caught our eye: Justice encouraged folks to vote early in the Senate race alongside his omnipresent pet dog, Babydog. “Bring it home for Babydog and I,” he said.
Fun fact: Justice has been head coach of the girls basketball squad at Greenbrier East High School in Fairlea, West Virginia, since 2003, a position he’s steadily maintained even while governor.
We’re spotlighting new members during the transition. Want more? Meet Reps.-elect Wesley Bell (D-Mo.) and George Latimer (D-N.Y.).
