Justice and Salango May Be On The Ballot For Governor, But Democratic Stalwart Manchin's Presence

[TexasTowelie]

Justice and Salango May Be On The Ballot For Governor, But Democratic Stalwart Manchin’s Presence Still Lingers


With rumors swirling during the summer of 2019 that he might return home to again run for governor, U.S. Senator Joe Manchin decided against trying to leave Washington. But despite that decision, Manchin has still drifted into the race between Republican incumbent Jim Justice and Democratic challenger Ben Salango.

In the 2016 race for Governor, billionaire businessman Jim Justice ran as a Democrat. But less than seven months after taking office, Justice stood on a stage in Huntington alongside President Donald Trump and announced he was returning to the Republican Party.

“Today, I will tell you, as West Virginians, I can’t help you anymore being a Democratic governor,” Justice said. “So, tomorrow, I will be changing my registration to Republican. As a coach, I will tell you it is time to run another play.”

Justice’s party-affiliation switch was less than surprising to those observing the state’s political landscape. West Virginia had quickly turned red in recent years. And even as a Democratic candidate, Justice touted his affinity for Trump.

Read more: https://www.wvpublic.org/government/2020-10-05/justice-and-salango-may-be-on-the-ballot-for-governor-but-democratic-stalwart-manchins-presence-still-lingers