Trump-Endorsed Republican Governor WINS WV Primary — Projected To Succeed Manchin

This just in: West Virginia Gov. Jim Justice has won the state’s primary.

Jim Justice is endorsed by President Trump, and his America-First campaign has made him a favorite candidate in the field.

He is vying to succeed outgoing Democrat Sen. Joe Manchin.

If he wins the November election — as polls predict — he will flip the seat and could very well give Senate majority to the GOP.

Take a look at the breaking news:

🚨Breaking Jim Justice has won the 2024 West Virginia GOP Senate Primary. He the Guy that Told @BetteMidler to kiss his dog ass. 🤣💀 pic.twitter.com/YEmGs0J6cD

— MAGA Elvis 🇺🇸 (@BenStanton77) May 15, 2024

“West Virginia Governor Jim Justice has won the primary in that state and is poised to fill the seat left vacant by outgoing Democrat Senator Joe Manchin.”

He could be the seat that gives the majority to the GOP.
https://t.co/4ubq8bfuXe

— Gary D (@KMGGaryde) May 15, 2024

Following his victory, Gov. Justice posted this on X:

Thank you, West Virginia, for placing your support and trust in me. I am truly humbled and will work every day to win in November so we can flip the Senate and deliver on our America-First agenda! pic.twitter.com/agaQquGEqJ

— Jim Justice (@JimJusticeWV) May 15, 2024

Justice is committed to getting President Trump elected this November:

We have to re-elect my friend President Donald Trump, or I am afraid we'll lose America. I look forward to campaigning with @realDonaldTrump and will do whatever I can and go wherever I can to help @TeamTrump, the Trump family and President Trump. #WVSen

— Jim Justice (@JimJusticeWV) May 15, 2024

The Post Millennial reported on the details of Justice’s primary win:

West Virginia Governor Jim Justice has won the primary in that state and is poised to fill the seat left vacant by outgoing Democrat Senator Joe Manchin. Justice, backed by Donald Trump, was the favorite to win. Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell and WV sitting Senator Shelley Moore Capito also supported Justice.

Justice beat out nearest competitor Alexander Mooney 59.7 percent to Mooney’s 29.4 percent. Mooney has served in Congress for the state. Justice is a heavy favorite in November. Trump won the state in 2020 by more than 2-to-1. Justice was leading Manchin in polling even prior to Manchin’s announcement that he would not run again.

The Washington Examiner shared some more insight:

Former President Donald Trump endorsed Justice in the Senate race to replace outgoing Sen. Joe Manchin (D-WV) in October. However, Mooney was already in the race and had the endorsement of the conservative Club for Growth.

Mooney, a five-term congressman, who had the backing of Sens. Ted Cruz (R-TX), Rand Paul (R-KY), Mike Lee (R-UT), and Rep. Jim Jordan (R-OH), sought to brand Justice as a RINO, or “Republican in Name Only,”  and emphasized he was the only true conservative in the race, pointing out Justice’s past as a Democrat. The West Virginia Congressman also sought to highlight scrutiny over a string of legal challenges against Justice’s coal empire.

Justice will go on to face the Democratic candidate who wins the primary. There are three Democratic hopefuls vying to replace Manchin, including Wheeling Mayor Glenn Elliott, who was an aide to Democratic Sen. Robert C. Byrd and has the backing of Manchin.

ADVERTISEMENT

Manchin, who was the former governor of West Virginia, was first elected in a special election in 2010. Manchin went on to be reelected to serve for two more full terms.

As West Virginia is likely going to flip to Republicans, Democrats are facing a difficult map to keep control of the Senate in 2024. With a narrow 51-49 advantage in the chamber, they must defend incumbents in Ohio and Montana as well as other states like Pennsylvania, Michigan, Nevada and Wisconsin.