Republicans may be about to get some very good news! GOP West Virginia Gov. Jim Justice – a former Democrat – is reportedly very likely to announce he will run for the U.S. Senate seat held by Democrat Sen. Joe Manchin in 2024. Justice would be almost a shoe-in to win that race, and very well could result in Manchin not even seeking re-election. He is very popular in the state, and West Virginia is now one of the most Republican states in the country. Manchin has managed to survive the last two elections because of weak GOP Candidates. This would be very different. Let’s hope it turns out to be so.
Elated Senate Republicans believe they are on the cusp of landing their highest-profile recruit of the 2024 campaign: West Virginia Gov. Jim Justice.
Justice, a Democrat-turned-Republican with sky-high approval ratings, is increasingly expected to launch a bid for Sen. Joe Manchin’s (D-W.Va.) seat after consulting with top party officials in Washington this month, according to a half-dozen GOP senators and aides. A Justice candidacy would notch two big wins for Republicans, breaking their losing streak in recruiting popular governors and reshaping next year’s battleground map.
Republicans privately predict Justice may wait to enter the race until at least next month in order to have a full fundraising quarter. And though the timing is in flux, the GOP would be gobsmacked at this point if he did not run. . . .
Politico