WASHINGTON, D.C. — Gov. Jim Justice appears ready to make his announcement that he’ll run for U.S. Senate next year.
MetroNews has independently confirmed Justice will do so Thursday night at his Greenbrier Resort. Politico published the initial report.
The report also notes that Justice could still change his mind about the timing of the announcement.
Justice, serving his second 4-year term as governor, turns 72 Thursday.
He’s strongly hinted and nearly come out and said several times that he’ll seek the seat currently held by Democrat Joe Manchin.
Justice made mention of the possibility during his State of the State Address back in January.
“I won’t be your governor for a whole lot longer, but I surely won’t go away. You’ll probably be able to find me at home or you may find me in Washington,” he said.
West Virginia Second District Congressman Alex Mooney has already announced he’ll seek the Republican nomination for Senate next year. He’s been picking up endorsements of late including the backing from U.S. Senator Ted Cruz, R-Texas, which was announced Friday.
Mooney’s campaign told MetroNews earlier this week Mooney has received the backing so far of 25% of the Republican majority in the state House of Delegates and the same percentage among Republican state senators.
Justice didn’t appear too impressed with the endorsements when he was asked by MetroNews about them.
“I’m glad that some of our legislators know that Alex Mooney is somewhere remotely connected to West Virginia,” Justice said. “I mean, who in the world in the State of West Virginia knows that Alex Mooney is a West Virginian. I mean, the truth of the matter is, Alex Mooney is from Maryland and absolutely, teatotally in every way connected to Maryland,” Justice said.
Manchin has yet to announce his intentions for 2024.