West Virginia GOP governor 'very seriously considering' running against Sen. Joe Manchin

Democratic Sen. Joe Manchin, one of the more vulnerable Democrats up for re-election in 2024, may have another potential opponent.

West Virginia Gov. Jim Justice said Tuesday that he is "very seriously considering running for Senate," joining several other politicians who are also considering a bid for the Republican nomination for Manchin's seat.

"I have not made a final decision yet, you know, but I promise you irregardless to whatever I do, I’ll be your governor the next two years," Justice said Tuesday during a press conference.

"I’m not going to sit around and just hang out. I don’t believe in that. I’ll be your governor," Justice said. "I truly believe the people in the great state of West Virginia are with me in whatever decision I make. I’m sure they’ll be right with me, as they know without any question, I’ll be right with them."

Justice said he was giving "serious, serious consideration" to the possibility of a Senate run and discussing it with family and friends. "You'll know real soon," he added.

Manchin got his first 2024 challenger a week after the 2022 midterm elections — in which Democrats secured their wafer-thin Senate majority and may expand it if Sen. Raphael Warnock wins his Georgia runoff election.

Rep. Alex Mooney, R-W. Va., announced Nov. 15 that he would be seeking the GOP nomination for the seat.

"West Virginia values are at risk in this country. We’re bankrupting America. I want to be a part of the solution there," Mooney said in a radio interview on MetroNews Talkline.

Another potential challenger to Manchin is West Virginia Attorney General Patrick Morrisey, who told supporters in a letter last week that he was considering a potential run for either U. S. Senate or West Virginia governor.... (Read more)

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