West Virginia Governor Jim Justice is a prominent candidate for a U.S. Senate seat in the upcoming election, but concerns about his attendance and health have surfaced among colleagues and political insiders.
Despite his high profile, particularly his memorable appearance at the Republican National Convention with his English bulldog, Babydog, Justice has garnered a reputation for being rarely present at the state capitol in Charleston.
According to multiple sources interviewed by Politico, Justice’s infrequent attendance has become a point of contention. Democratic Delegate Mike Pushkin emphasized that 80 percent of success in life is showing up, noting that many West Virginians doubt Justice’s commitment to regularly attending sessions in Washington, D.C. Republican legislators echoed these sentiments, expressing worries about Justice’s health, particularly following his gallbladder removal and ongoing mobility issues linked to his weight.
Senator Rand Paul raised similar concerns about Justice’s ability to serve effectively given his physical condition.
Critics have suggested that Justice may be more focused on his business interests and his role as a high school basketball coach, with the latter possibly becoming a conflict should he win the Senate seat. While some Republican colleagues defended him, admitting that he can be hard to reach, they also acknowledged his lack of transparency and regular presence.
Furthermore, attempts by Democrats to access Justice’s official schedule through public records requests revealed a lack of documentation for his official business, and a review of his 2019 schedules showed he spent considerable time away from the capitol and met infrequently with his Cabinet.
As Justice campaigns for a Senate seat, his political future may hinge not only on his ability to appeal to voters but also on his capacity to demonstrate consistent presence and engagement in the role he seeks.
