Republican Gov. Jim Justice Wins West Virginia Senate Primary by Wide Margin

Republican West Virginia Gov. Jim Justice Secures Victory in Senate Primary, Sets Sights on November

In a decisive victory, Republican West Virginia Gov. Jim Justice emerged as the winner in the state’s GOP Senate primary, defeating his main rival Rep. Alex Mooney with a significant margin of 61.5% to 26.6%. Justice’s win solidified his position as the frontrunner in the upcoming general election, where he will face off against the Democratic nominee to succeed retiring Sen. Joe Manchin.

Following his win, Justice expressed gratitude to the state for their support and trust in him, emphasizing his commitment to advancing the America-First agenda. With the backing of former President Donald Trump, who endorsed Justice’s Senate bid in 2024, the governor is considered a heavy favorite in the general election.

The Democratic nominee for the Senate seat is yet to be determined from a three-way race between Glenn Elliott, Zachary Shrewsbury, and Don Blankenship. The Democratic primary remained too close to call as of 9 p.m. ET, setting the stage for a competitive showdown in November.

Sen. Manchin, a centrist Democrat, currently holds the seat that Republicans are aiming to flip. With Trump’s significant support in West Virginia, Justice’s popularity, and the Republicans’ advantage in defending fewer Senate seats this election cycle, the governor’s path to victory in November appears promising.

As Justice transitions from governor to Senate candidate, the race to replace him as governor is also heating up. The Democratic primary saw Steve Williams, the mayor of Huntington, running uncontested, while the Republican primary featured a tight race between West Virginia Attorney General Patrick Morrisey and Moore Capito, son of Sen. Shelley Moore Capito.

The outcome of the governor’s race will have significant implications for the future direction of West Virginia at both the state and federal levels. With new leadership and candidates emerging, the results of the primary elections have set the stage for an important general election where both parties vie for control and influence in the state.