Jim Justice emerges victorious in West Virginia’s Republican Senate primary
Republican Gov. Jim Justice emerged victorious in the West Virginia GOP Senate nomination on Tuesday, where voters in two politically opposite states participated in crucial primary contests with significant implications for the upcoming Senate majority battle this fall.
Three states — Maryland, Nebraska, and West Virginia — held statewide primary elections on Tuesday, with Republicans and Democrats selecting their nominees for the upcoming fall elections. The focus was on the Senate primaries in Maryland and West Virginia, where Republicans are eyeing potential gains that could impact the control of the Senate.
Alongside the presidential primaries in all three states, Democratic President Joe Biden and Republican former President Donald Trump sought to assert their influence. Additionally, two congressional candidates involved in the 2021 Capitol attack highlighted the deep divisions still present in the country.
Justice secured the GOP nomination against U.S. Rep. Alex Mooney in the race to succeed Sen. Joe Manchin. With Manchin stepping down, the Senate seat is expected to switch to Republican hands in November.
The popular Justice, who was endorsed by Trump, successfully fended off Mooney’s attempts to label him a “Republican in name only.” Justice, a former Democrat who switched to the Republican Party, highlighted his bipartisan approach by supporting Biden’s infrastructure legislation for West Virginia’s benefit.
In the gubernatorial race, West Virginia is also choosing its candidates. Attorney General Patrick Morrisey, who previously ran for Senate, is competing for the Republican nomination against former state Rep. Moore Capito.
Meanwhile, in Maryland, Republican former Gov. Larry Hogan is expected to dominate the state’s GOP Senate primary, despite his criticism of Trump. On the Democratic side, Rep. David Trone and County Executive Angela Alsobrooks are locked in a contentious battle.
Voters expressed their support for Biden and Trump in the primaries, with some choosing protest votes in response to various political issues. Maryland progressives, unhappy with Biden’s policies, encouraged voters to select “uncommitted” instead of Biden.
The election also featured candidates directly involved in the Capitol attack, such as Derrick Evans in West Virginia and former Capitol Police officer Harry Dunn in Maryland.
Nebraska saw nominal opposition against Republican Senators Deb Fischer and Pete Ricketts, while in North Carolina, voters finalized their pick of Brad Knott in a one-person Republican primary.
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