GOP Flips Senate Seat as Jim Justice Wins in West Virginia

West Virginia Gov. Jim Justice delivers his State of the State address in Charleston, W.Va., on Jan. 10, 2024. Chris Jackson/AP Photo

The GOP has flipped the open West Virginia Senate seat as Gov. Jim Justice defeated Democrat Glenn Elliott, The Associated Press has projected.

Justice, who has been governor of the Mountaineer State since 2017, was expected to win. He will succeed retiring Sen. Joe Manchin (I-W.Va.).

Manchin has served in the Senate since 2010. He left the Democratic Party earlier this year.

Justice was endorsed by former President Donald Trump, the GOP presidential nominee.

“Strong on the Border, our Great Military & Vets, CLEAN COAL & Energy Dominance, the Economy, Stopping Inflation, & Protecting our 2nd Amendment, Big Jim will be a Great UNITED STATES SENATOR, and has my Complete & Total Endorsement,” Trump posted on Truth Social on Oct. 18, 2023.

“He will never let you down!”

Justice accepted Trump’s endorsement.

“It’s an incredible honor to have his endorsement and confidence in me. It seems like every day, we see the Biden administration falling all over itself,” Justice said in a statement the day after the endorsement.

“Those days are numbered, thank goodness. Soon, we will welcome the second term of President Donald J. Trump.”

Trump was projected by The Associated Press to win West Virginia at the moment polls closed.

The GOP needs one more seat to flip the Senate, as the Democrats control the upper congressional chamber, 51–49, with Manchin and retiring Sen. Kyrsten Sinema (I-Ariz.) caucusing with them.

The party has a solid chance of doing so in Montana against incumbent Democrat Sen. Jon Tester. Other competitive races include Wisconsin and Pennsylvania.

Justice, who is known for his English bulldog, Babydog, will take office on Jan. 3.