WV Gov. Jim Justice to delay US Senate swearing-in, averting brief bedlam in Charleston

Republican West Virginia Governor Jim Justice He announced that he would postpone his swearing-in of the United States Senate, thus preventing a whirlwind of four governors in a ten-day period due to simultaneous changes in legislative leadership in Charleston.

In doing so, it briefly leaves federal Republicans with a majority in the Senate of two seats instead of three. Justice pointed this out In statements Thursday eveningSaying he wants to do what's best for the Mountaineers.

“My whole thinking behind all of this is that continuity of government is essential during transitions… When I took this office, I took this office to serve the people of West Virginia.”

The judge said he doesn't expect much to happen between Jan. 3 — when Congress takes the oath of office — and Jan. 20 — when President-elect Donald Trump is inaugurated, but in Charleston, many things could happen.

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Donald Trump shakes hands with West Virginia Governor Jim Justice, who announced during the rally that he would switch parties from Democrat to Republican, during the Make America Great Again rally at Big Sandy Arena in Huntington, West Virginia. (Saul Loeb/AFP via Getty Images)

West Virginia is one of seven states that does not have an independently appointed or elected lieutenant governor. In Charleston, it is instead a legal title given to the leader of the state Senate.

So, if the judge joins the US Senate on schedule, current state Senate President Craig Blair will initially assume that role.

However, Blair lost the Republican primary for his seat in Martinsburg in April, and will then leave office on January 8 when the new legislature is sworn in.

On January 8, the newly elected leader, Sen. Randy Smith of Tucker County, will assume the governorship until Governor-elect Patrick Morrisey takes office on January 13.

“Between January 3rd and when President Trump takes office, some things will happen, but nothing will happen,” he added. [in the U.S. Congress] “Really until President Trump takes office,” Justice said Thursday.

He added, “I'm in constant communication with President Trump about my feelings about his appointment choices, my feelings about the direction we're going to go on all kinds of issues like energy and so on and so forth and everything.”

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West Virginia Governor Jim Justice stands at his desk with his pet bulldog, Baby Dog. (Fox News Digital/Office of Governor Jim Justice)

“So, I don't think anything will rise to the level of what could happen here [in my absence]”.

Republicans also flipped the Senate by a comfortable enough margin of 53-47, allowing the absence of fairness to allow a two-member margin.

“I don't think West Virginia needs four governors in 10 days,” he said.

The judge said Thursday that he made the decision after speaking about the situation with both the Speaker of the House and the Senate Majority Leader-designate.

“Senator Thune is a really good guy. He's going to do a great job as our leader and everything. And we've had this discussion, and at the end of the day, I think you'll find that everyone completely understands the complexities and everything and completely understands [my decision]“Justice said.

Sen. Shelley Moore Capito, her counterpart for the upcoming session, said she looks forward to working with him and working together to advance Trump's agenda.

“I deeply respect Governor Justice’s decision to fulfill his commitment to complete his term as governor of West Virginia,” she said in a statement.

“I believe this with all my heart,” Justice told reporters. “The people of West Virginia elected me to this position, and they expect me to always do right by them…It has been an incredible honor to serve as their governor.”

Travelers are greeted with a Welcome to West Virginia sign after crossing the East River Mountain Tunnel on I-77 in Princeton. (Charles Kretz)

A Billionaire coal businessman Who also owns The Greenbrier in White Sulfur Springs, Justice was originally elected as a Democrat but changed parties During the course of 2017 With Trump in his first term in Charleston – and he was re-elected as a Republican.

The role of justice to the Republican Party and Sen. Joe Manchin, D-W.V., has retired.completing a complete transformation from a blue state that for decades elected Sen. Robert Byrd and Rep. Nick Joe Rahal to a deep red state that Democratic presidential candidates since Hillary Clinton have lost by wide margins.

Justice stressed that waiting until January 13 will be worth it because he loves Trump “with all my soul.”

“I think his family's world and everything. And I'll be there.” [and] Very supportive of what he does. We will try in every way to do so. . . Putting this nation back on the right track.”

“The people of West Virginia will know exactly where I stand with them.”