CHARLESTON, W.Va. — “Ability and optimism” is what the chief of staff for Governor-elect Jim Justice is looking for when it comes to additions to Justice’s Administration.
“We can all take a very negative view of what’s happening in West Virginia. Things are tough. The budget numbers are real. They are difficult, but the picture that Jim’s bringing to us is the opportunity we’ve got,” Nick Casey said.
On Tuesday’s MetroNews “Talkline,” Casey announced Grant Herring, who served as spokesperson for Justice’s campaign, will be press secretary in the Justice Administration under Butch Antolini, the communications director named last week.
Casey said additional hires would be announced through the rest of this week.
In general, he described some of the prospects for state government positions, including potential cabinet secretaries, as “a bit outside the box.”
“We have various folks that we have talked to who are, they’re exciting, actually,” Casey said.
“They’re people who are like Jim. They’ve been involved in big, big business. They’ve been involved in big projects. They’ve been involved with things that really bring jobs and people to West Virginia.”
Inauguration Day for Justice is Monday, Jan. 16.
An editorial in Tuesday’s Charleston Gazette-Mail questioned Justice’s plans to continue coaching two high school basketball teams in Greenbrier County while serving as governor.
“West Virginia deserves a full-time governor,” the Daily Mail editorial headline read.
“Let’s give our new a governor a chance,” Casey responded when asked about the editorial. “I think they’ll be pleased with what they see.”