Justice decides what happens next if he wins U.S. Senate seat | News, Sports, Vacancies

WHEELING — West Virginia Gov. Jim Justice suggests he may win election to the U.S. Senate next week, and he thought about where he would live in Washington, what committees he might serve on and how it would change him daily routine.

The Republican judge provided some insight into how he will act as senator during a stop in Wheeling on Tuesday.

His Democratic opponent, Glenn Elliott, said last week that he doesn’t think Justice will be a full-time senator, won’t live in Washington, D.C., and doesn’t plan to serve on any committees.

But Justice noted Tuesday that he has considered which Senate committees are best suited for his work.

“I know what is best for my experience: finance or energy,” Justice said. “Agriculture too. We are seriously involved in the agricultural business. I know about agriculture and the farm bill and things like that. We’ll just have to see.

“You can write down what you would like to have, but that doesn’t mean it will become a reality. They (Senate leadership) do everything for ratings, and that can be difficult.”

Incumbent U.S. Sen. Joe Manchin, R-Ind., has settled in Washington on a houseboat called Almost Heaven. But Justice noted that the floating life on the water was not for him.

“I’m not going to live on a houseboat, but I’ll definitely find a place,” Justice continued.

It’s not a short drive from Justice’s home in Greenbrier County to Washington, D.C. He reports that it will take him more than four hours to get to the U.S. Capitol, and about half an hour if he decides to fly.

“It’s not that bad” Justice said. “This will be good.”

Justice, who remains the head girls basketball coach at Greenbrier East High School, noted that his coaching career will continue if elected and he will try to balance it with his work in the Senate.

“It might (interfere with Senate business), but so what?” Justice said. “I won’t let it interfere with my work. I didn’t let it get in the way of doing my job as governor. I have great assistant coaches and I enjoy spending time with the kids. And to be completely honest, I don’t go on vacation. I don’t do anything except here. That’s what I’m going to do.”

Justice has also expressed his opinions on current world issues such as the war between Israel and Hamas.

“I am an ardent supporter of Israel” Justice said. “They have been an incredible ally. The conflict goes back to biblical times, and I am a man of God. Therefore, I would stand firmly on the side of Israel.

“I would like to see things get better so we can have a stable Middle East.”

Regarding Ukraine issues, Justice believes the country’s war with Russia could have been avoided.

“I truly believe that if (Republican presidential candidate) Donald Trump were president, Russia would never have invaded Ukraine. But we are there.” Justice said. “I don’t know anything else because I don’t have inside baseball information, but I know we’re there and a full assessment needs to be done.”

Justice said he fully understands people who object to sending billions of dollars to a foreign country so it can defend itself.

“We have people who are really suffering, and there is a legitimate argument from those who ask why we send billions of dollars there when we have people suffering here.” – he said. “But at the same time, we also don’t want a situation where we also have a runaway Russia.”

Justice offered his views on what could be done to better help the economy. He said that energy “Inflation is running the show.”

“The first thing we need to do is free up our energy sector,” he said. – he said. “It drives this whole inflation bucket. That’s true. We don’t even have an energy policy in this country. This is crazy.

“Anyone who thinks we can live without fossil fuels is living in a cave. I accept all forms of energy. But despite all of the above, today we cannot live without fossil fuels.

“The bottom line is that the more energy any country has, the healthier its people are and the longer they live. That’s it.

He called the current climate in Washington “dysfunctional”.

“We don’t even have the professionalism to address each other across the aisle.” Justice continued. “When Ronald Reagan was in office, he and (late House Speaker) Tip O’Neill worked together every day. Why can’t we do this and be respectful and professional in what we do?

“With me you will find another animal. Honestly, I won’t be there to do anything for myself. I’ll be there to do the right thing.”

Justice has decided not to campaign this election season, believing that West Virginians “You already know me.”

He noted that he has installed several signs in his home county of Greenbrier. The signs feature the image of his popular English bulldog, Babydog, and contain the line: “Vote for my father.”

Justice was also asked what he thought of his Democratic opponent, Elliott.

“To be honest, I don’t know Glenn very well,” he said. he answered. “I know he was the mayor of Wheeling and I met him a couple of times.

“I’ll be very respectful and say he’s a good guy and a good candidate. But I’m going to leave, so I don’t think it will be a big deal.”

Elliott said he found Justice’s comments. “interesting” when he previously sent out emails calling him “worthless democrat” And “refusal.”

“But at the end of the day, it’s not about what he thinks of me or what I think of him. It’s about what voters think of each of us.” – Elliott said. “No matter what he says publicly now, he has told those in his administration that he intends to serve as a part-time U.S. senator.

“I cannot stress enough that being an effective U.S. Senator requires constant attention. You just can’t get work done sitting on your couch in Lewisburg.”

Being a U.S. senator is a very different job than being a governor, Elliott continued.

“He can say what he wants to say publicly, but people tell me he intends to be a part-time senator,” he said. – he said about Justice. “The only way to prove yourself is to be at the table, not in Lewisburg. This is the most important race on the ballot.”

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