As I reflect on my years in Congress and look toward the future, I can still remember when the Senate failed to repeal the Affordable Care Act, also known as Obamacare. In the summer of 2017, three Republicans – Senators John McCain, Susan Collins, and Lisa Murkowski – joined with all their Senate Democrat colleagues in voting against the repeal of Obamacare. It was a very disappointing moment for conservatives, but there’s a lesson to be learned.
In Washington, while at times it’s important to work across the aisle in a bipartisan fashion, there are lawmakers, Republicans specifically, who only have the “R” next to their name because it’s politically convenient. But they do not truly share our conservative values. I raise this issue because Republicans have an election to win in November 2024, but there’s only one proven conservative on the primary ballot on May 14th.
Recently, Senator Joe Manchin announced that he will not seek reelection, which virtually guarantees this Senate seat will go Republican. West Virginians will elect a new Senator in 2024, and it is important that we choose wisely. It is time for Republicans to put forth a proven conservative rather than someone who will vote like Joe Manchin. The last thing the Mountain State needs is another Democrat in office with an “R” next to his name.
Since Jim Justice took office as governor in January 2017, he vetoed proposed budget cuts passed by the Republican-controlled Legislature, he signed into law tax increases, and he opposed efforts to repeal and replace the Affordable Care Act, known as Obamacare. In other words, if Jim Justice is elected to the United States Senate, he will follow in Manchin and Biden’s footsteps.
Justice is Republican in name only. As governor, he supported Biden’s reckless spending which caused inflation to skyrocket, he pushed liberal gun control measures that would restrict the Second Amendment, and he even criticized those who refused to submit to COVID-19 vaccine mandates. It got so bad, Justice was even praised for his promotion of the vaccine by CNN’s Don Lemon.
The reality is that our country is in dire need of proven conservative leaders who will get our country back on the right track. If Justice is elected, you will be disappointed when he votes with Senator Chuck Schumer and the Democrats when it matters most. This is not just about Justice’s record, remember he was elected as a Democrat. Previously, Justice donated heavily to the DNC, Joe Manchin, and he supported Manchin before switching parties. In contrast, if you are looking for a proven conservative leader who will uphold the Constitution, protect your freedoms, and faithfully represent the values of the Mountain State in the Senate, then I am that candidate.
Not only do I have the voting record to prove it, but I have received support from prominent Republicans in Congress including Representative Jim Jordan, Senator Rand Paul, Senator Ted Cruz, and Senator Mike Lee. I have also been endorsed by 31 members of the West Virginia House of Delegates and eight State Senators. Despite being the sitting governor, Jim Justice has barely received any in-state endorsements. Justice’s support comes from the Washington establishment, not from our state. With Manchin out of this race, the Senate seat is certain to go to the Republican nominee. West Virginians deserve a proven conservative US Senator, and I am the only one running.
