Jim Justice, the Republican governor of West Virginia and owner of a popular bulldog named Babydog, cruised to victory in his Senate race Tuesday night, a result that was widely expected following incumbent Joe Manchin's retirement.
Justice led his Democratic opponent, former Wheeling mayor Glenn Elliott, by 3 points when the Associated Press called the race shortly after polls closed Tuesday night. That lead quickly expanded to more than 20 points.
Justice declared victory more than a month before Election Day. His win, though widely expected, gives Republicans the first of two flips they need to secure a majority in the upper chamber.
Manchin was the last Democrat to hold statewide office in West Virginia when he switched his party affiliation to Independent earlier this year. Justice's win means the GOP will control both Senate seats in West Virginia for the first time since 1958.
Justice has gained national attention thanks in part to his pet bulldog. Babydog and Justice spoke in a primetime slot at the Republican National Convention.
"She makes us smile. She loves everybody," Justice said of Babydog. "And how could the message possibly be any more simpler than just that?" Years prior, during his 2022 State of the State address, Justice proudly displayed Babydog's heinie in reference to his liberal critics, garnering a standing ovation.
Justice was elected governor as a Democrat in 2016. Less than a year later, he switched his partisan affiliation to Republican at an event with former president Donald Trump. Justice went on to cruise to reelection in 2020 by more than 30 points.
Manchin saw his political standing plummet in West Virginia as he backed some of the Biden-Harris administration's top legislative priorities, most notably the Inflation Reduction Act. He announced he would not seek reelection in November, pledging instead to travel the country and "mobilize the middle."