West Virginia Gov. Jim Justice (R) has won the GOP nomination for the state’s Senate seat being vacated by Sen. Joe Manchin (D-W.Va.), according to Decision Desk HQ, likely setting him up to be its next senator. 

Justice was the front-runner to win the nomination and is viewed as the favorite for the general election in the solidly red state. He had the backing of former President Trump along with top Republican leaders including Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.) and West Virginia’s other senator, Shelley Moore Capito (R). 

He fended off opposition from several other candidates, most notably Rep. Alex Mooney (R-W.Va.). Justice regularly led Mooney in polling for months by double digits. 

Mooney tried to run to Justice’s right and depict the governor, who was a Democrat until he switched parties in 2017, as a “RINO,” an acronym meaning “Republican in Name Only.” He attracted support from members of the more conservative wing of the GOP, including Sens. Ted Cruz (Texas) and Mike Lee (Utah), Rep. Jim Jordan (Ohio), and conservative organizations like Club for Growth. 

But it was ultimately not enough to stop Justice from securing the nomination after building up wide support within the party. 

“When the 2024 cycle began, the Senate race in West Virginia looked like it was going to be a toss-up,” said Nation Republican Senatorial Committee Chair Steve Daines following Justice’s victory. “That all changed with the recruitment of Governor Jim Justice. Governor Justice is one of the most popular governors in the country, and his work to cut taxes and create opportunity for hardworking West Virginians makes him exactly the right person to represent the state in the U.S. Senate. Congratulations to Big Jim and his team on a big win tonight. We look forward to welcoming him to the United States Senate next year.”