Jim Justice’s campaign for U.S. Senate is set for a high-powered fundraiser in Washington, D.C.
The incumbent Republican governor is the subject of a 5 p.m. Wednesday fundraiser hosted by Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell and senators Shelley Moore Capito, Steve Daines, Marsha Blackburn, Joni Ernst, Pete Ricketts, John Thune and Thom Tillis.
“Leaders in Washington see Governor Justice’s accomplishments and results in West Virginia and the overwhelming support West Virginians have for him,” stated Roman Stauffer, campaign manager for Jim Justice for U.S. Senate.
“Yes, conservatives in Washington and across the country support him and are rallying around him because they know he gets things done, will work hard to find solutions for the people of West Virginia, and is the strongest candidate to win the U.S. Senate race.”
The fundraiser is taking place at the offices of the National Republican Senatorial Committee at 425 Second St. NE in Washington.
The suggested contribution level to attend the reception and support Justice’s campaign for Senate is $500 per individual.
It’s $2,000 for individuals to sponsor or $3,300 for individuals to host.
Justice was recruited by Senate Republican leaders to run in 2024 for the seat currently held by Democrat Joe Manchin.
He faces competition in the Republican primary election from Congressman Alex Mooney, who has been promised millions of dollars in financial support from the hardcore Club for Growth.
“Governor Justice enters the race for U.S. Senate, in a strong position on the Primary and General Election ballot, but the campaign has just started,” according to a State of the Race memo distributed in early May by Justice’s Senate campaign.
“As a top U.S. Senate race in the country, Governor Justice is raising money nationwide in the first fundraising period since his announcement to send a strong message that Republicans will win the seat and control the United States Senate after the 2024 election cycle.”
Justice announced his run for Senate in late April and has not yet had to submit a federal fundraising report.
Justice, once described as West Virginia’s only billionaire, said prior to announcing his candidacy that he does not intend to self-fund the campaign.
“I really run off of other people’s energy. And to just sit back and handle this on my own, I’m not going to do that at all,” he said in April.
Justice still owes more than $2.6 million in outstanding loans from his 2020 re-election as governor, according to his most recent campaign finance filing with the West Virginia Secretary of State’s Office.
He has gotten support already from Republicans who hope he will help carry them to the majority.
Senator Lindsey Graham, R-S.C., spoke at Justice’s campaign announcement at The Greenbrier. “I promise you, Jim Justice is the right person for West Virginia,” Graham said.
Senator Capito, who often works closely with Manchin on West Virginia issues, also emerged as an early public supporter of Justice’s campaign. “I think we’re really gonna make a good pair in Washington,” Capito said of Justice.
Mooney’s campaign has gone after Justice already over a variety of financial challenges to his family’s network of businesses.
“Jim Justice is already one of the all-time worst recruits by the GOP Establishment. Ever since the national spotlight touched Justice, there has been one embarrassing scandal after another. Jim Justice is corrupt, compromised, and not ready for prime time,” stated John Findlay, Mooney’s campaign manager.