Posted on 10/20/2023 10:56:21 AM PDT by TBP
Former President Trump, who is wildly popular in West Virginia, on Wednesday endorsed Gov. Jim Justice in the state’s Senate Republican primary.
Trump’s endorsement of Justice over Rep. Alex Mooney (R-W.Va.), whom the former president endorsed in a House race last year, is a major political development in a key Senate battleground.
The winner would challenge Sen. Joe Manchin (D-W.Va.) in the 2024 general election if Manchin decides to run for a fourth Senate term.
(Excerpt) Read more at thehill.com ...
Justice is the current Governor and switched his party affiliation elected as a Democrat and changing to a Republican. He has governed as a liberal/moderate R. Locked down and masked his state for months. Sponsors large green energy projects in a state that mines coal. The state is in last place for education, health care and ranks 47th nationally economically. But he’s been really nice to Trump and Trump says he’s been great on energy policies and the economy.
Alexander Mooney is a current US Congressman and has a 90% current Liberty Score. His voting record is solid and has voted against all of the major spending bills; Infrastructure, American rescue act and Inflation reduction act. He’s a true conservative.
This is perfect example of Trump endorsing someone who governs as a RINO and will continue to in the senate.
“But he’s been really nice to Trump and Trump says he’s been great on energy policies and the economy.”
Most important as far as the endorsement is concerned: Justice is well ahead in the polls at the moment. For Trump, it’s often about supporting the “best” RINO possible (Ronna McRomney for RNC, Squish McCarthy for Speaker, e.g.) than it is about being conservative.
It’s one thing to be “practical” and settle for endorsing a RINO in a purple or (commie) red state, quite another to do so in what has to be the most Republican state in the nation or damn close to it.
A real king-maker instead of a wannabe would be true to conservative principles and not worry so much about the direction the wind may be blowing at some point in time.
Trump’s always gotta be a winner, that’s obviously important to him, so he backs the candidate who is leading more often than not to juice his stats.
He did not endorse Ronna. He remained neutral probably because he knew she was going to get it. He could have tried to stop it considering he knew she’s was the one person the base didn’t want, not that it means a damn thing to the GOPe pukes
Wonderful a 72 year old Jr senator
He whipped votes for her.
Like Larry Hogan in Maryland. As much as I didn't like Hogan, he was good on a few things and he was about the best you're likely to get in a deeply Democrat state.
But West Virginia?
This is how we lost Pennsylvania.
Justice was a Republican who switched to be a Rat so he could run for governor in 2016. He then switched back to the GOP soon after Trump took office. He and Trump know each other since they’re both in the resort business. Justice & family bought\saved the Greenbrier.
I agree somewhat with your political characterization of Justice though I think he actually has few if any political principles. Prior to running for office he and his family were know for very unethical business practices in their mining business. WV’ians are unduly impressed by the wealthy. He’s either WV only billionaire or one of two.
I’ll be voting for Mooney but Justice will win the primary and go on to defeat Manchin.
I’ve heard his health is bad too. Bad health & his obesity is why some say he overreacted in WV in the pandemic.
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