Republican Gov. Jim Justice Wins U.S. Senate Seat in West Virginia

West Virginia Governor Jim Justice has been projected to win the U.S. Senate seat in the state, according to Edison Research and the Associated Press. This victory marks a significant shift as Justice, a Republican, succeeds the seat left vacant by Democrat Senator Joe Manchin, who decided not to seek re-election and recently switched to an independent.

Justice, a two-term GOP governor, defeated Democratic candidate Glenn Elliott, a former mayor of Wheeling and a lawyer who previously served as a legislative assistant to the late U.S. Sen. Robert Byrd. Justice’s win is seen as a crucial step for Republicans in their bid to gain dominance in the Senate.

Justice, who switched from the Democratic Party to the GOP seven months after being elected governor in 2016, leveraged his popularity and the enduring influence of former President Donald Trump in West Virginia. Trump won the state by substantial margins in both the 2016 and 2020 presidential elections.

During the campaign, Justice conducted few traditional campaign stops, instead using his governor’s platform to make economic development announcements and criticize President Joe Biden‘s policies. He also brought his pet English bulldog, Babydog, to various events.

Elliott, on the other hand, embarked on a tour of all 55 counties in West Virginia, emphasizing his support for unions and the middle class. Despite his efforts, Justice’s strong political base and economic influence in the state proved decisive.

This election result means that Republicans will hold both U.S. Senate seats in West Virginia for the first time since 1958.