CHARLESTON, W.Va. — Gov. Jim Justice said Wednesday on MetroNews “Talkline” he is “perfectly comfortable with the staff” after his decision last week to switch his registration from Democrat to Republican.
Justice said he doesn’t expect wholesale turnover but there will likely be some casualties beginning with administration Press Secretary Grant Herring.
“Grant has done a great job and he’s a good young man but Grant’s personal feelings are entrenched in the Democratic Party through and through. I do not think Grant is going to survive with me,” Justice predicted.
Herring joined Justice during last year’s gubernatorial campaign as the campaign spokesman and then was hired to stay on with the administration.
Justice said Chief of Staff Nick Casey, a former West Virginia Democratic Party chairman, is not in the office this week but that was time off that was previously planned. Justice did not offer a guess Wednesday on what Casey’s ultimate decision would be.
Justice said he gave similar messages to his staff and cabinet in separate meetings after the party switch announcement.
“I said, ‘If you feel the least bit uncomfortable in the direction we are going–because I know exactly what direction we’re going here. If you feel the least bit uncomfortable in your loyalty to me then you’ve got to go,'” Justice said.
Justice said state Department of Environmental Protection Secretary Austin Caperton stood up and pledged his support.
“Austin’s family has been Democrats forever and Austin stood up and said, ‘Listen governor, I truly believe the people of West Virginia elected you to get something done and I understand totally what you’re doing and I’m with you 100 percent. I’m not going anywhere,'” Justice said.
Justice also said Wednesday there’s been very little “backlash” from his decision.
“I don’t have any regrets whatsoever. I’m excited about working with the Republicans and I’m hoping I can still work with some of the Dems. What I’m hearing from everybody is good stuff,” Justice said.
Justice announced his decision last week during a rally in Huntington featuring President Donald Trump. He signed the papers Friday. Justice was a registered Republican until 2015 when he switched to Democrat. He ran the following year for governor.