Senator Joe Manchin just got bad news, and his name is Jim Justice.
West Virginia Governor Jim Justice (R) announced his decision to run for the Senate on Thursday, presenting a significant challenge to incumbent Sen. Joe Manchin (D-W.Va.) in the 2024 elections.
As the Republican Party tries to reclaim the majority, Justice’s announcement at the Greenbrier event has invigorated Senate Republicans, who view him as the key to defeating Manchin in the increasingly red state.
Sen. John Thune (R-S.D.) expressed enthusiasm about Justice’s candidacy, noting that the two-term governor is well-known and well-liked in West Virginia.
Manchin has not yet revealed his 2024 plans, but the GOP establishment is hot to pit the term-limited governor against him, rather than conservative and pro-Trump Rep. Alex Mooney (R-W.Va.), in a potential general election battle.
Sen. Steve Daines (R-Mont.), chairman of the National Republican Senatorial Committee, praised Justice as a “proven winner” who has championed “conservative values” in the state.
The Senate Leadership Fund, a group operated by Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell’s (R-Ky.) allies, also lauded Justice as the ideal candidate to challenge Manchin, who they claim has become a “sellout.”
Sen. Shelley Moore Capito (R-W.Va.) endorsed Justice at his campaign announcement event, commending him for his popularity and dedication to West Virginia.
However, conservative groups like Club for Growth have pledged their support for Mooney, potentially setting the stage for a heated primary battle.
Club for Growth Action President David McIntosh criticized Justice as McConnell’s “handpicked candidate” and argued that West Virginians want a principled conservative like Mooney to fight against Washington’s excessive spending and “woke policies.”
The Club has already indicated its willingness to spend $10 million to support Mooney.
A February poll commissioned by the Senate Leadership Fund revealed Justice as the clear favorite in the primary, as well as the only prospective Republican candidate to achieve over 50 percent support in multiple hypothetical head-to-head matchups against Manchin.
Although Mooney is an underdog, he recently defeated long-serving Rep. David McKinley (R-W.Va.) in a contest that pitted former President Trump’s MAGA movement against the GOP establishment. Mooney won by nearly 19 percentage points.
The West Virginia Senate race is among the most closely watched contests due to the uncertainty surrounding Manchin’s reelection plans.
However, questions remain as to whether Manchin, 75, will seek another term. He has stated that he will not decide until December.
In a statement on Thursday, Manchin claimed that he “will win any race I enter,” hinting at a possible 2024 presidential bid.
Manchin has recently attempted to strengthen his conservative appeal, supporting several Republican-led resolutions to overturn Biden administration rules.
He also vowed to join GOP efforts to overturn the so called Inflation Reduction Act (IRA), which he authored, if the administration fails to implement it correctly.
As the 2024 elections approach, the West Virginia Senate race is poised to become one of the most closely scrutinized contests.
With Manchin’s future uncertain and a potential GOP primary battle looming between Governor Jim Justice and Rep. Alex Mooney, the outcome will likely have significant implications for the balance of power in the Senate.
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