West Virginia Senate GOP primary heating up as party seeks to gain 2024 Senate majority
Jack Birle
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The Republican primary for the West Virginia Senate race is heating up as different factions of the GOP take sides between the top contenders.
While Gov. Jim Justice (R-WV) is widely seen as the leading contender on the GOP side, the race received increased attention after Rep. Alex Mooney (R-WV) announced his candidacy for the Republican nomination.
CLUB FOR GROWTH ENDORSES MOONEY IN 2024 WEST VIRGINIA SENATE RACE AS JUSTICE EYES BID
Mooney recently picked up the endorsement from the Club for Growth, which described the congressman as a “conservative champion.”
“Rep. Mooney has proven in his time in Congress that he is a conservative champion who will fight for lower taxes, safer streets, school freedom, and parental rights for the people of West Virginia,” Club for Growth PAC President David McIntosh said in a statement.
The group has also reportedly pledged $10 million to help the West Virginia congressman for his primary.
“Mooney will be a great U.S. Senator and we’ll do whatever it takes to make sure he’s elected,” McIntosh said.
Justice, who has not declared his candidacy, is reportedly being pushed by Sen. Steve Daines (R-MT), who is chairing the National Republican Senatorial Committee, and Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-KY).
A spokesperson for the Senate Leadership Fund, which is associated with McConnell, told NBC News that Justice would be a difficult candidate to beat, pointing to positive poll figures in primary and general election matchups.
“Justice would be the runaway favorite in both the primary and general election,” Torunn Sinclair said.
Conrad Lucas, former chairman of the West Virginia GOP, said the expected fierce primary race would make for a heavy ad blitz in the Mountain State.
“I certainly wish I owned a TV station in the state of West Virginia for the 2024 cycle,” Lucas said. “It’s very interesting to see this much attention happening this early. Typically, when there’s outside investment, it’s not this early.”
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The winner of the Republican primary may have to go up against Sen. Joe Manchin (D-WV), who is contemplating running for another term. Manchin, who has held on to his seat despite the state being overwhelmingly Republican, said he would make a decision about his 2024 aspirations before January 2024.
Justice, a popular governor, has significantly higher approval ratings than Manchin, while Manchin, a centrist Democrat, would likely be more competitive against the more conservative Mooney. If Manchin does not seek reelection, it could make the GOP primary more consequential than the general election in the heavily Republican state.