CHARLESTON, W.Va. — The Justice administration responded to Capitol rumors about the governor’s health by distributing a news release saying he is fine.
The statement was headlined “Gov. Justice: Please stop the rumors.”
“I’ve had no recent doctors’ appointments but the last time I did they told me I’m in wonderful health, except for being a little chunky, and that I have incredible stamina,” Gov. Jim Justice stated in the release.
“I pray every day for my health, the health of my family and the health of all West Virginians. I encourage everyone else to do the same.”
PLEASE STOP THE RUMORS. Instead of celebrating and concentrating on the wonderful achievements that have been taking place in our great state, some people are questioning my health. In no way, shape, form or fashion are these rumors true. https://t.co/SRznjxsjhk
— Governor Jim Justice (@WVGovernor) January 25, 2018
The rumor going around the Capitol — which is a full-time gossip mill — was that the governor had received a cancer diagnosis.
Several people in his circle who were privately asked about the rumors by reporters Thursday said they were not true and that, in their view, the governor is healthy as ever.
By 6:39 p.m. Thursday, the rumors had apparently become so pervasive that the Governor’s Office decided to address the topic head-on.
“Could the false rumors please stop,” Justice stated. “Instead of celebrating and concentrating on the wonderful achievements that have been taking place in our great state, some people are questioning my health. In no way, shape, form or fashion are these rumors true.
“I have recently enjoyed grouse hunting and if people really want to see, come watch me coach tonight at Riverside or Saturday in Fairlea against George Washington.
Justice has been at the Capitol lately, although his presence has not been as pronounced as during the last legislative session when he was vocal about the state budget crisis.
New Republican Party chairman Melody Potter tweeted Thursday evening that she had met with Justice earlier in the day. “He was very gracious, nice and loves West Virginia,” Potter tweeted.
Earlier Thursday, the governor appeared at an event for Christian School Day at the Capitol. And he also participated in a Board of Public Works meeting with the Attorney General, the Agriculture Commissioner, the Auditor, the Treasurer, the Secretary of State and the Superintendent of Schools.
On Tuesday, Justice participated in a Higher Education Day proclamation in his reception room and posed for photographs with college presidents.
He wasn’t on time for Transportation Day at the Capitol last Friday morning but did appear for some meet-and-greet events in his office later that day.
Rumors about the governor’s health also swirled over the summer during a week in which he had also fired his chief of staff, Nick Casey.
It turned out Justice had been treated at Johns Hopkins. When he disclosed the treatment on August 19, Justice said he suffered from a viral infection and that going to Hopkins represented the fastest route for testing to determine the nature of the illness.
In a telephone interview while Justice recovered at home, he said his staff hadn’t disclosed the out-of-state treatment out of deference to his privacy.
“You hate to alarm anybody. I’ve always believed there are a few things about myself that ought to be private. If I felt impaired or anything like that I’d be the first to say I have a fiduciary duty to tell everyone what’s going on with my health,” Justice said.
Justice gets out of breath when he walks and also limps. He almost always sits down during public speaking appearances.
After he came back from his August illness, Justice was asked about his health habits. Justice has said it’s rare for him to be ill.
“I’ll tell you what I want you to do with me. You see if you can go for three days. Three days. We’ll put you in intensive care,” Justice said. “Listen, I run like crazy non-stop.”
Then he added, “I don’t eat very good. That’s the only thing.”