Former President Donald Trump gave his seal of approval Wednesday to West Virginia Gov. Jim Justice’s bid for U.S. Senate, delivering a major blow to Republican rival Rep. Alex Mooney.
The two Republicans are duking it out in a primary to take on Democratic Sen. Joe Manchin III, who has not formally declared for reelection but whose seat the GOP hopes could help it retake the chamber.
Mr. Trump‘s endorsement is a boon for establishment Senate Republicans and its campaign arm, who back Mr. Justice, but a potential nail in the coffin for Mr. Mooney and his more conservative supporters.
“Big Jim Justice, the Governor of the Great State of West Virginia (I love West Virginia!), is BIG in every way, but especially in his wonderful heart!” Mr. Trump posted on his social media site Truth Social, sometimes breaking into all capital letters.
“Strong on the Border, our Great Military & Vets, Clean Coal & Energy Dominance, the Economy, Stopping Inflation, & Protecting our 2nd Amendment, Big Jim will be a Great United States senator and has my Complete & Total Endorsement. He will never let you down!!!”
Mr. Justice responded to the news by tweeting that he was “honored and thankful,” in addition to taking a swipe at Mr. Mooney.
“I’m the strongest Republican to win the U.S. Senate in West Virginia!” he posted. “My opponent is endorsed and supported by one of the largest anti-Trump Super PACs this election cycle.”
Mr. Justice was referring to the anti-tax group Club for Growth, which has endorsed Mr. Mooney and also funded anti-Trump efforts.
Mr. Mooney reacted in a statement: “I support and respect President Trump, but I disagree with this. I am the only proven conservative in this race that West Virginians deserve.”
Both men are close allies to the former president and have sought the 2024 White House hopeful’s endorsement for months. But even before Mr. Trump‘s endorsement, Mr. Justice led Mr. Mooney by double digits in the polls and had consistently outraised him.
Mr. Mooney has pitched himself as the true conservative candidate over Mr. Justice, who was a Democrat until 2017. Besides the Club for Growth, he’s backed by several state GOP lawmakers and such Republican U.S. senators as Ted Cruz of Texas and Rand Paul of Kentucky.
Mr. Justice is backed by Senate Republicans’ campaign arm, the National Republican Senatorial Committee, and the Senate Leadership Fund, which has close ties to Senate Minority leader Mitch McConnell.
