WHITE SULPHUR SPRINGS — Gov. Jim Justice announced his re-election bid today, saying there is unfinished business and that he’s the guy for the job.
Justice, a billionaire businessman, has sometimes cast doubt on whether he would run again.
But today, at a rally that began with “Born to Run” as buildup music, he said there is more work to do.
As he did when he first ran in 2016, Justice described his business background as a strength.
Even though he has served two years of his term and now wants another four years, he continued to express an aversion to politics. A sign at today’s event said “Results Not Politics.”
And although he won statewide office as a Democratic candidate, Justice switched parties and now runs as a Republican.
Today’s primary campaign kickoff was announced by the state Republican Party with no hint if there will be any GOP challengers.
Rather than being at the seat of government, today’s event was in White Sulphur Springs, a stone’s throw from The Greenbrier Resort owned by the governor and his family.
Justice has continued to live in nearby Lewisburg, about two hours from Charleston, rather than at the seat of government as specified by the state Constitution.
The event at the White Sulphur Springs convention center included the Greenbrier East girls basketball team coached by Justice, as well as the high school’s color guard.
And it included some of Justice’s employees. Singers from The Greenbrier performed.
In the audience were key members of the governor’s cabinet, including senior adviser Bray Cary, Chief of Staff Mike Hall, chief counsel Brian Abraham, Deputy Chief of Staff Ann Urling, Transportation Commissioner Tom Smith, Revenue Secretary Dave Hardy and Tourism Commissioner Dave Hardy.
Some were careful to say they had taken the day off.
Also there were state schools Superintendent Steve Paine, as well as several members of the state school board, who are appointed by the governor.
