Jim Justice plans Senate launch for next week

Gov. Jim Justice is planning to launch a long-awaited campaign against Sen. Joe Manchin (D-W.Va.) next week, handing Republicans a well-funded and popular recruit in their best opportunity to flip a Senate seat.

He will make his announcement on Thursday evening at The Greenbrier, his luxury resort in White Sulphur Springs, W.Va., according to an invitation to the event obtained by POLITICO. A GOP strategist close to Justice confirmed the details. Thursday is also the governor’s 72nd birthday.

Justice, a coal mining magnate who is friendly with former President Trump, has hinted at a Senate run for months. POLITICO reported earlier this week that Justice could launch a bid before the end of the month. He was heavily recruited by the National Republican Senatorial Committee and has been in contact with Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell.

Still, Justice is known to change plans suddenly. While the event is set for Thursday, he could still punt a decision to later.

In the primary, he will first have to face GOP Rep. Alex Mooney, for whom the anti-tax Club for Growth has already pledged to spend at least $10 million. But Justice, who is worth hundreds of millions, could invest some of his own funds into the race.

Mooney is a member of the conservative House Freedom Caucus and would likely try to run to the right of Justice, who was elected as a Democrat before switching parties. Justice allies have signaled that they will use Mooney’s Maryland roots against him. He was a state senator there before moving across state lines ahead of his 2014 run for Congress.

Both Mooney and Justice are seeking Trump’s support.

Manchin, meanwhile, has not said whether he will run for reelection and does not expect to make a decision until the end of the year. He faces a tough road in a state that Trump carried by 39 points, and he has also left the door open on a run for president.

Burgess Everett contributed to this report.