Joe Manchin rival Jim Justice will resolve on West Virginia Senate bid this month

Gov. Jim Justice (R-WV) stated he'll resolve by the top of February whether or not or not he'll run for Senate in 2024.

The term-limited GOP governor stated he's strongly contemplating a run to problem his longtime rival, Sen. Joe Manchin (D-WV), for the seat in what may very well be a hotly contested Republican major.

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"I do know the individuals of West Virginia. I do know actually and really that they have been left within the mud and so they actually consider in me and belief me," Justice informed CBS News.

Justice additionally informed the outlet he can be a "reliably Republican" vote within the Senate. The governor was first elected in 2016 as a Democrat earlier than switching get together affiliation to Republican months into his first time period. He had beforehand been a registered Republican earlier than his gubernatorial bid.

"I am rock-solid as a Republican and being entrenched in these values," Justice informed the outlet. "I am a patriot. I actually am. And I believe our nation goes in a route that may very well be our demise."

The Republican major is ready to be a fierce battle, with Rep. Alex Mooney (R-WV) already declared as a candidate and state Lawyer Basic Patrick Morrisey evaluating his choices.

Manchin has not introduced whether or not he'll search one other time period however is certainly one of a number of Democratic senators going through troublesome reelection bids in Republican-leaning states in 2024. Sens. Jon Tester (D-MT) and Sherrod Brown (D-OH) are additionally anticipated to face fierce challenges from GOP candidates.