West Virginia just flipped. For the first time in basically forever—specifically since 1958—the Mountain State has two Republicans sitting in the U.S. Senate. If you followed the West Virginia Senate race 2024, you know it wasn't exactly a nail-biter. Jim Justice, the larger-than-life Governor with the famous English bulldog Babydog, cruised to a victory that felt almost inevitable from the moment Joe Manchin announced he was hanging it up.
Manchin was the last of a dying breed. A conservative Democrat who could actually win in a state that Donald Trump won by roughly 40 points. Once he stepped aside, the floodgates opened. Honestly, the real drama happened months before the general election even started.
The Fall of the Manchin Era
Joe Manchin didn't just retire; he fundamentally changed the math of the U.S. Senate. By the end of his term, he wasn't even a Democrat anymore, having switched to Independent in 2024. His departure meant the West Virginia Senate race 2024 became the Republican Party’s best chance to flip a seat. And flip it they did.
The numbers are pretty staggering. Jim Justice pulled in 514,079 votes, which accounts for about 68.8% of the total. Compare that to his Democratic opponent, Glenn Elliott, who managed 207,548 votes (around 27.8%). It wasn't just a win. It was a landslide.
Justice didn't even have to spend as much as you'd think. By late April 2024, his campaign had raised about $2.96 million. His primary rival, Alex Mooney, actually out-raised him with over $3.2 million, but it didn't matter. Justice had the name recognition. He had the "Governor" title. He had the dog.
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Why Glenn Elliott Couldn't Close the Gap
Glenn Elliott is no slouch. He was the mayor of Wheeling and had the backing of Joe Manchin. But in today’s West Virginia, a "D" next to your name is a massive hurdle.
Elliott tried to talk about climate action and modernizing the economy. Justice talked about coal, tax cuts, and his record as Governor. In a state where the voter turnout for the general election hit 55.5%, the message that resonated was the one that aligned with the top of the ticket. With Trump winning the state decisively, Justice just rode that wave right into D.C.
The Primary Was the Real Battle
If you want to find where the actual fighting happened, look at the May primaries. Justice had to fend off Congressman Alex Mooney. Mooney tried to paint Justice as "liberal" because of his past as a Democrat. Justice didn't blink. He leaned into his relationship with Trump and his "good ol' boy" persona.
Justice won that primary with 61.8% of the vote. Mooney trailed way behind at 26.5%.
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On the other side, the Democratic primary was a bit of a mess too. Elliott won with 45.4%, but he had to beat out Zach Shrewsbury and—believe it or not—Don Blankenship. Yeah, the former coal executive Don Blankenship, who previously ran as a Republican and a Constitution Party candidate, tried his hand as a Democrat. He got 18.5%.
- Jim Justice (R): 514,079 votes (68.8%)
- Glenn Elliott (D): 207,548 votes (27.8%)
- David Moran (L): 26,075 votes (3.5%)
What This Changes in Washington
So, Justice is in. He was sworn in on January 14, 2025. What does that actually mean for you?
First, it solidifies the Republican control of the Senate. West Virginia is no longer the "swing" state it used to be when Manchin was playing kingmaker. Justice has already promised to vote like a "staunch conservative," focusing on energy independence—read: coal and gas—and cutting federal regulations.
He’s also not your typical politician. Justice often says he wants to do things "his way." During his victory speech at the Greenbrier Resort (which he owns, by the way), he told the crowd he can't do things the way they've always been done in D.C. Whether that means he'll be a wildcard or a loyal party soldier remains to be seen.
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Local Impact of the 2024 Shift
It wasn't just the U.S. Senate. The West Virginia Senate race 2024 at the state level saw Republicans expand their supermajority even further. They picked up two more seats in the State Senate, leaving the Democrats with only 2 out of 34 seats.
Think about that. Two seats.
When one party has that much power, things move fast. Expect heavy movement on school choice, further tax reductions, and aggressive pro-fossil fuel legislation.
Actionable Insights for West Virginians
If you're living in West Virginia or just watching from afar, the political landscape has shifted permanently. Here is what you should keep an eye on moving forward:
- Watch the Energy Bills: Justice is a coal guy. Keep an eye on federal subsidies for carbon capture and how he interacts with the EPA.
- Monitor Shelley Moore Capito: She’s now the senior Senator and moving up in GOP leadership. Her partnership with Justice will dictate how much federal money actually flows back into the state for infrastructure.
- Constituent Services: Justice has historically been very accessible as Governor. If you have issues with federal agencies, now is the time to reach out to his new Senate offices to see if that accessibility translates to Washington.
- 2026 and Beyond: With the Democratic party in the state at a historic low, watch for "centrist" Independents to try and fill the void Manchin left behind.
The 2024 cycle proved that West Virginia has completed its transformation from a union-heavy Democratic stronghold to the heart of the Republican base. Jim Justice is the face of that new reality.