James Justice
United States Senator from WV
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Biography
Jim Justice is the junior U.S. Senator from West Virginia, a former two-term governor elected in 2024 after Joe Manchin's retirement.
James Conley Justice II, West Virginia's junior senator since January 2025, brings business and executive experience to his newly assumed Senate role. A Charleston, West Virginia, native, Justice built a large family business empire spanning coal, agriculture, and hospitality, including ownership of the historic Greenbrier resort. He was elected governor as a Democrat in 2016 but switched parties to Republican in 2017 during a rally with President Donald Trump, then was re-elected as a Republican in 2020. Serving two gubernatorial terms, Justice navigated the COVID-19 pandemic and significant state budget challenges. He defeated U.S. Representative Alex Mooney in the 2024 Republican primary with 61 percent of the vote and then defeated Democratic nominee Glenn Elliott in the general election. Justice delayed his Senate swearing-in until West Virginia's new governor took office, finally taking the oath on January 14, 2025. His Senate committee assignments and legislative priorities focus on energy development, agriculture, economic development, and Appalachian regional recovery.