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West Virginia Republican Governor Jim Justice announced that he would delay his inauguration in the United States Senate, thus avoiding a whirlwind of four governors in a 10-day period due to coincidental changes in legislative leadership in Charleston.
In doing so, it briefly leaves the federal Republican majority in the Senate at two instead of three seats. The court referred to such in comments Thursday nightsaying that he wants to do what is best for the mountaineers.
“My whole thinking behind all of this is that continuity of government is essential during transitions… When I took this job, I did so to serve the people of West Virginia.”
Justice said he doesn’t expect much to happen between Jan. 3, when Congress is sworn in, and Jan. 20, when President-elect Donald Trump is inaugurated, but a lot could happen in Charleston.
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Donald Trump shakes hands with West Virginia Governor Jim Justice, who announced during the rally that he was switching from Democratic to Republican parties, during a Make America Great Again rally at Big Sandy Arena in Huntington, West Virginia. (Saúl Loeb/AFP via Getty Images)
West Virginia is one of seven states that does not have an independently elected or appointed lieutenant governor. In Charleston, it’s more of a legal title given to the leader of the state Senate.
Therefore, if Justice were to join the U.S. Senate as planned, current state Senate President Craig Blair would initially assume the role.
However, Blair lost the Republican primary for his Martinsburg seat in April and will therefore leave office on January 8, when the new legislature is sworn in.
On January 8, the newly elected leader, Senator Randy Smith of Tucker County, would take over as governor until Governor-elect Patrick Morrisey took office on January 13.
“Between January 3 and when President Trump takes office, some things will happen, but nothing will really happen (in the U.S. Congress) until President Trump takes office,” Justice said Thursday.
“I’m in constant contact with President Trump about my feelings about his selections for his appointments, my feelings about where we’re going to go on all kinds of issues like energy and so on,” he added.
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West Virginia Governor Jim Justice poses at his desk with his bulldog, Babydog. (Fox News Digital/Office of Governor Jim Justice)
“So I don’t think there’s anything there that’s going to rise to the level of what could happen here (in my absence).”
Republicans also defeated the Senate by a comfortable enough 53-47 margin that Justice’s absence still allows for a two-member margin.
“I don’t think West Virginia needs to have four governors in 10 days,” he said.
Justice said Thursday that he made the decision after discussing the situation with both the House speaker and the designated Senate majority leader.
“Senator Thune is a really good man. He’s going to do a great job as our leader and everything. We had this discussion and at the end of the day, I think everyone totally understands the complexities and everything and totally understands (my decision). “Justice said.
Sen. Shelley Moore Capito, RW.V., Justice’s counterpart in the upcoming session, said she looks forward to working with him and working together to advance Trump’s agenda.
“I greatly respect Governor Justice’s decision to honor his commitment to completing his term as Governor of the State of West Virginia,” he said in a statement.
“I believe this with all my soul,” Justice told reporters. “The people of West Virginia elected me to this office and expected me to always do the right thing… It has been an incredible honor to be your governor.”
Travelers are greeted by a West Virginia welcome sign after crossing the East River Mountain Tunnel on I-77 in Princeton. (Charles Creitz)
TO billionaire coal businessman who also owns The Greenbrier in White Sulfur Springs, Justice was originally elected as a Democrat but switched parties. during a 2017 rally with Trump in his first term in Charleston and was re-elected as a Republican.
The turn of justice for the Republican Party and the retirement of Senator Joe Manchin, DW.V.completes a complete shift from the blue state that for decades elected Sen. Robert Byrd and Rep. Nick Joe Rahall to a deep red state where Democratic presidential candidates since Hillary Clinton have lost by double digits.
The wait until January 13, Justice reiterated, will be worth it because she loves Trump “with all my soul.”
“I think the world of his family and all that. And I’m going to be there (and) very supportive of what he’s doing. And we’re going to try in every way… to get this nation back on the right side of the track.”
“The people of West Virginia will know exactly where I stand with them.”