Sen. Jim Justice, R-W.Va., was sworn into the U.S. Senate on Tuesday, Jan. 14, 2025, with Sen. Shelley Moore Capito, R-W.Va., by his side. (U.S. Senate livestream screenshot)
Former West Virginia Gov. Jim Justice officially became a U.S. senator Tuesday afternoon.
Justice took the oath of office on the Senate floor Tuesday with fellow West Virginia Sen. Shelley Moore Capito by his side holding the Bible.
Justice, a former billionaire whose family businesses include coal mines and the operation of The Greenbrier resort, served two terms as the state’s chief executive. In November, the Republican easily won the Senate seat over Democrat Glenn Elliott, the former mayor of Wheeling. The Associated Press called the race for Justice at 7:30 on election night, just after the polls closed. Justice had pulled in about 69% of votes, over 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 of both the Senate and House of Representatives.
In a statement, Capito welcomed Justice to the Senate and said that he was an “outstanding two-term governor.” She said she had a great relationship with Justice as governor and looks forward to continuing the success in the Senate.
“Sen. Justice played a pivotal role in flipping the Senate majority to Republicans, giving us the opportunity to enact President Trump’s agenda,” she said. “Together, we can work in tandem to implement the changes that West Virginians demanded for our country at the ballot box in November.
“I’m excited for all he will accomplish as a Senator and look forward to the results we can deliver for the Mountain State as a unified team,” she said. “I thank him, Cathy, and his family for their continued commitment to serving the people of West Virginia.”
The seat Justice took had been held by Sen. Joe Manchin, I-W.Va., since 2010. Manchin announced in November 2023 that he would not be seeking reelection and left the Democratic Party in May 2024.
Justice’s new role marks the first time in 70 years that West Virginia’s two Senate seats are both held by Republicans.
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