May 14, 2024 - Politics & Policy

Jim Justice wins West Virginia Republican Senate primary, AP projects

Stephen Neukam

West Virginia Governor Jim Justice announces that he is switching parties to become a republican as President Donald J. Trump listens on at a campaign rally at the Big Sandy Superstore Arena on August 3, 2017 in Huntington, West Virginia. — Then-President Trump and West Virginia Gov. Jim Justice at a 2017 rally in Huntington, West Virginia. Photo: Justin Merriman/Getty Images

Gov. Jim Justice won the West Virginia Republican Senate primary on Tuesday night, AP projects.

Why it matters: Republicans are poised to flip the seat currently held by Sen. Joe Manchin (D-W.V.), bringing the party closer to control of the chamber.

Justice defeated Rep. Alex Mooney (R-W.V.) in the primary.

The big picture: Manchin's decision to retire means the GOP is almost certain to win the seat in November, which would be the first time since 1958 that the state won't send a Democrat to the Senate.

It also means Republicans are set to capture one of the nine Senate seats that Democrats are trying to protect this year.
If Republicans protect their seats in states like Texas and Florida, then they will need to flip just one more seat to win a majority.

Zoom in: Justice is an ally of former President Trump and picked up his endorsement in the race.

Justice was elected governor as a Democrat in 2016. He switched party affiliations in 2017 and handily won reelection in 2020.
Manchin's retirement was a relief for national Republicans, who struggled to find a way to defeat the Democrat in the state since he first won the governorship in 2004.

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Jim Justice wins West Virginia Republican Senate primary, AP projects

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