West Virginia Republican Gov. Jim Justice introduced that he would delay his U.S. Senate swearing-in, thereby stopping a whirlwind of 4 governors in a 10-day interval on account of coinciding modifications in Charleston’s legislative management.
In doing so, it leaves federal Republicans’ Senate majority briefly at two as a substitute of three seats. Justice alluded to such in remarks late Thursday, saying he needs to do what’s finest for Mountaineers.
“My whole thinking behind all of this is that the continuity of government is essential during transitions. . . . When I took this job, I took this job to serve the people of West Virginia.”
Justice stated he doesn’t count on a lot to occur between Jan. 3 – when Congress is sworn in – and Jan. 20 – when President-elect Donald Trump is inaugurated, however that in Charleston, many issues would possibly transpire.
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Donald Trump shakes arms with West Virginia Gov. Jim Justice, who introduced through the rally that he would swap events from Democrat to Republican, throughout a Make America Nice Once more Rally at Large Sandy Enviornment in Huntington, West Virginia. (Saul Loeb/AFP through Getty Photos)
West Virginia is considered one of seven states that doesn’t have an independently-appointed or elected lieutenant governor. In Charleston, it’s as a substitute a statutory title given to the state Senate chief.
So, if Justice had been to affix the U.S. Senate on-schedule, present state Senate President Craig Blair would initially assume the function.
Nonetheless, Blair misplaced the GOP major for his Martinsburg seat in April, and due to this fact leaves workplace on Jan. 8 when the brand new legislature is sworn in.
On Jan. 8, the newly-selected chief, Sen. Randy Smith from Tucker County, would assume the governorship till Gov.-elect Patrick Morrisey took workplace on Jan. 13.
“Between January 3rd and when President Trump takes office, there’ll be some things that happen, but there won’t be anything happening [in the U.S. Congress] really until when President Trump takes office,” Justice stated 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 on and on and on and everything,” he added.
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West Virginia Governor Jim Justice poses at his desk along with his pet bulldog, Babydog. (Fox Information Digital/Workplace of Governor Jim Justice)
“So, I don’t think that there’s anything there that is going to rise to the level of what could happen here [in my absence].”
Republicans additionally flipped the Senate by a comfortable-enough 53-47 margin that Justice’s absence will nonetheless enable a two-member buffer.
“I don’t think that West Virginia needs to have four governors in 10 days,” he stated.
Justice stated Thursday he made the choice after talking in regards to the state of affairs with each the Home Speaker and Senate Majority Chief-designate.
“Senator Thune is really a good man. He’s going to do a great job as our leader and everything. And we had this discussion, and at the end of the day, I think you’ll find that everyone totally understands the complexities and everything and totally understands [my decision],” Justice stated.
Sen. Shelley Moore Capito, R-W.V., Justice’s counterpart subsequent session, stated she appears to be like ahead to serving with him and dealing collectively to advance Trump’s agenda.
“I very much respect Governor Justice’s decision to honor his commitment to complete his term as Governor of the State of West Virginia,” she stated in a press release.
“I believe this with all my soul,” Justice additional instructed reporters. “The people of West Virginia elected me to this office, and they expected me to do right by them always . . . t has been an honor beyond belief being their governor.”
Vacationers are greeted by a West Virginia welcome signal after crossing the East River Mountain Tunnel on I-77 in Princeton. (Charles Creitz)
A billionaire coal businessman who additionally owns The Greenbrier in White Sulphur Springs, Justice was initially elected as a Democrat however modified events throughout a 2017 rally with Trump in his first time period in Charleston – and was re-elected as a Republican.
Justice’s flip to the GOP and the retirement of Sen. Joe Manchin, D-W.V., completes a full shift from the blue state that for many years elected Sen. Robert Byrd and Rep. Nick Joe Rahall to a deep-red state that Democratic presidential candidates since Hillary Clinton have misplaced by double-digits.
Bearing the wait till Jan. 13, Justice reiterated, can be value it as a result of he loves Trump “with all my soul.”
“I think the world of his family and everything. And I’m going to be there [and] super supportive of what he’s doing. And we’re going to try in every way to . . . put this nation back on the right track.”
“The people of West Virginia will know exactly where I stand with them.”
