Manchin Successor Justice Delays Senate Swearing-In So West Virginia Doesn’t Have Four Govs In Ten Days

Roll Call reports:

When newly elected senators are sworn in Jan. 3 at the Capitol, one member won’t be there: Republican Jim Justice says he’ll serve out his term as West Virginia governor and postpone joining the Senate until his gubernatorial successor is inaugurated on Jan. 13. Justice said he wanted to avoid a scenario under which the state would shuffle through four different governors over a 10-day span.

The succession plan had Justice not delayed his swearing-in as senator: He would have been succeeded by outgoing state Senate President Craig Blair in an acting capacity until Jan. 8, the first day of the legislative session. Then the new state Senate president, who is expected to be state Sen. Randy Smith, would serve as acting governor until Jan. 13, when Republican Gov.-elect Patrick Morrisey takes the oath of office.

Read the full article.

I very much respect @WVGovernor’s decision to honor his commitment to complete his term as Governor of the State of West Virginia. I am looking forward to serving with Senator Justice as there is much to do to advance President @realDonaldTrump’s agenda on behalf of all West…

— Shelley Moore Capito (@SenCapito) December 26, 2024