West Virginia’s governor has launched a bid for a U.S. Senate seat representing the state, in a challenge to longtime incumbent Sen. Joe Manchin (D-W.Va.)
Republican Gov. Jim Justice filed papers with the Federal Election Commission and is reportedly expected to formally announce his campaign later on April 27.
Justice, 72, a former Democrat with a net worth north of $1 billion, has been West Virginia’s governor since 2017. He will likely face Manchin, 75, who has held the seat since 2010.
Manchin has not officially announced a re-election bid for the seat.
“I am laser focused on doing the job West Virginians elected me to do—lowering healthcare costs, protecting Social Security and Medicare, shoring up American energy security and getting our fiscal house in order,” Manchin said in an emailed statement The Epoch Times on Thursday. “But make no mistake, I will win any race I enter.”…