CHARLESTON, W.Va. — Plans to transition from Gov. Earl Ray Tomblin’s administration to Governor-elect Jim Justice’s are underway, starting with the naming of longtime Democratic Party leader Larry Puccio as chairman of Justice’s transition team.
Puccio, a Fairmont native,, served as Gov. Joe Manchin’s Chief of Staff and also worked for Justice as a senior advisor during the campaign.
“Larry Puccio and I have worked together for many years, and he knows exactly what we need to accomplish with the transition team before I get sworn in,” Justice stated in a news release.
“We are bringing in experts and community leaders from across West Virginia to share their ideas for making West Virginia number one. The goal of our transition team is clear: bring together the best and brightest to transform West Virginia in every way possible.”
In the next few weeks, Justice and Puccio will plan to announce additional leaders for the transition team, according to today’s announcement.
“The transition effort will include policy committees filled with experts on the front lines who will offer suggestions to the Governor-elect on a wide range of issues.”
The Justice announcement noted that anyone interested in working with the transition team should email info@justiceforwv.com
Puccio stated in the release, “The governor-elect is an impatient man, and he wants to use this time to build the best team possible. We want to hear from West Virginians across the state about how they can put their talents to work for the new administration.”
On Tomblin’s side, current staff has been preparing to work with counterparts to ensure a smooth transition, said Jessica Tice, spokeswoman for Tomblin.
“We have met and spoken a number of times with Justice’s team about the transition process. Governor Tomblin wants the transition to be as smooth as possible,” Tice said. “At the same time, Governor Tomblin has a lot he’s trying to accomplish.”
She specified that includes continued development of Rock Creek Park on the former Hobet mine site, efforts to stabilize West Virginia’s state budget and continued efforts to fight the state’s opioid abuse crisis.
“All of those are core areas he’s hopeful the new administration will embrace as well,” Tice said. “He and his senior staff are working hand in hand with the justice transition team.”
Tice said office space has been set aside at the Capitol for the Justice team to start preparing. Tomblin’s team is gathering information on upcoming projects and other projects to help the Justice team get up to speed.
“It’s still pretty early,” Tice said. “A lot of the specifics are coming in to focus.”
Tomblin’s staff has a double role right now — to continue to govern the state and to help prepare the Justice staff, Tice said.
“There’s a lot he hopes to accomplish in the next couple of months,” Tice said of the current governor. “Our work has not tapered or slowed down a single bit. As he sees the end, there are some things he’s hoping to speed up and to accomplish.”