Former West Virginia Gov. Jim Justice officially became a U.S. Senator on Tuesday afternoon.
The judge took the oath of office in the Senate on Tuesday, with his fellow senator from West Virginia, Shelley Moore Capito, holding the Bible at his side.
Justice, a former billionaire whose family businesses include coal mines and the operation of The Greenbrier ResortHe served two terms as the state’s chief executive. In November the The Republican easily won the Senate seat Democrat Glenn Elliott, the former mayor of Wheeling. The Associated Press called for the Race for Justice at 7:30 p.m. on election night, shortly after the polls closed. Justice had received about 69% of the vote to Elliott’s 28%.
Justice joins the Senate as his friend, President-elect Donald Trump, a Republican, prepares for another four years in the White House. Along with the presidency Republicans won majority control in both the Senate and the House of Representatives.
In a statement, Capito welcomed Justice to the Senate and said he was an “outstanding two-term governor.” She said she had a great relationship with the judiciary as governor and looks forward to continuing the success in the Senate.
“Senator. “The judiciary played a critical role in handing the Senate majority to Republicans and giving us the opportunity to carry out President Trump’s agenda,” she said. “Together, we can work together to implement the changes West Virginians demanded for our country at the ballot box in November.
“I am excited about everything he will accomplish as a senator and look forward to the results we can deliver as a united team for the Mountain State,” she said. “I thank him, Cathy and his family for their continued commitment to serving the people of West Virginia.”
The seat Justice filled had been held since 2010 by Sen. Joe Manchin, IW.Va. Manchin announced in November 2023 that he would not run for re-election and left the Democratic Party May 2024.
The judiciary’s fresh role marks the first time in 70 years that West Virginia’s two Senate seats are both held by Republicans.
