Jim Justice

Jim Justice Bio

James Conley Justice II (born April 27, 1951) is an American politician, businessman, and philanthropist who has served since 2025 as the junior United States senator from West Virginia. A member of the Republican Party, he previously served as the 36th governor of West Virginia from 2017 to 2025. Justice inherited his family’s coal and agricultural businesses and built a statewide business empire that includes farming, mining, and the historic Greenbrier resort. Known to many as “Big Jim,” he has gained national attention for his colorful speaking style and his outspoken support of the coal industry, economic development, and public health initiatives.

Early Life and Background

James Conley Justice II was born to James Conley Justice and Edna Ruth (née Perry) Justice in Charleston, West Virginia. He grew up in Raleigh County and graduated from Woodrow Wilson High School in Beckley in 1969. Justice enrolled at the University of Tennessee on an athletic scholarship for golf before transferring to Marshall University. At Marshall, he served as a two-year captain on the Thundering Herd golf team and earned both his bachelor’s degree and his Master of Business Administration.

After college, Justice joined the family agriculture business, founding Bluestone Farms in 1977. The operation grew to about 50,000 acres of farmland and became the leading grain producer on the East Coast of the United States. He also developed Stoney Brook Plantation, a 15,000-acre hunting and fishing preserve in Monroe County, and earned recognition as a seven-time national corn growing champion.

Path to US Politics

After his father’s death in 1993, Justice inherited ownership of Bluestone Industries and Bluestone Coal Corporation, expanding his reach into the mining industry. He acquired and reorganized dozens of companies, growing his business footprint across multiple states while also becoming a prominent donor and civic figure in West Virginia. He served as president of Beckley Little League starting in 1992 and became the girls’ basketball coach at Greenbrier East High School in 2003, later taking over the boys’ team in 2011.

Justice’s path into elective office began later in his career. In February 2015, he changed his party registration from Republican to Democrat. That same year, he declared his candidacy for governor of West Virginia in the 2016 election, his first run for political office. He campaigned on improving education, supporting coal, expanding tourism, and addressing the state’s budget deficit and opioid crisis.

Jim Justice Career

Early Career (2015–2016)

Justice entered politics as a conservative Democrat and won the Democratic nomination for governor in May 2016. He was endorsed by the United Mine Workers and campaigned on a platform that combined traditional Democratic priorities with strong support for the coal industry. During the presidential campaign that year, he notably refused to endorse Hillary Clinton, citing her stance on phasing out coal energy.

In the November 2016 general election, Justice defeated Republican nominee Bill Cole to become governor-elect of West Virginia. He took office on January 16, 2017, becoming the 36th governor of the state. Less than seven months into his term, he announced at a rally with President Donald Trump in Huntington that he was rejoining the Republican Party, a move that surprised even his own staff.

Governor of West Virginia (2017–2025) Breakthrough

Justice’s first term was defined by his effort to close West Virginia’s budget gap, including a proposal to raise about $450 million in new revenue through changes to the consumer sales tax and the reinstitution of the business and occupation tax. He opposed cuts to health and education spending, and in April 2017, while vetoing a budget bill, he famously displayed cow manure on a print copy of the bill to denounce what he called political posturing. His party switch also made him the first Republican governor of West Virginia since Cecil Underwood in 2001.

After switching parties, Justice initially supported Democratic Senator Joe Manchin for reelection in 2018 before later backing Republican Patrick Morrisey. In 2020, he signed the Critical Act, which created felony penalties for protests targeting oil and gas facilities. He also signed legislation expanding gun rights, including a bill allowing gun owners to keep firearms locked in vehicles on employer property and a 2023 measure legalizing campus carry for concealed carry permit holders.

Second Gubernatorial Term and Senate Win (2020–2024)

Justice declared his candidacy for reelection in January 2019 and won the Republican primary before defeating Kanawha County commissioner Ben Salango in November 2020 with more than 63 percent of the vote. He became the first West Virginia Republican incumbent to win a second gubernatorial term since Arch A. Moore Jr. in 1972. His second term included a national profile during the COVID-19 pandemic, where his “Do It for Babydog” vaccination campaign helped West Virginia become an early leader in vaccine distribution.

In April 2023, Justice announced his candidacy for the 2024 United States Senate election in West Virginia. He defeated U.S. Representative Alex Mooney for the Republican nomination with about 61 percent of the vote. In the November 5 general election, he defeated former Wheeling mayor Glenn Elliott, the Democratic nominee, to succeed retiring Senator Joe Manchin. Justice became the first Republican to hold the seat since 1956 and, at his swearing-in on January 14, 2025, became the junior United States senator from West Virginia.

Notable Events and Milestones

Justice’s career has included several signature moments, including his party switch at a Trump rally, his cow-manure budget veto, and his widely covered COVID-19 vaccine outreach. In 2022, after the Supreme Court overturned Roe v. Wade, he signed a bill banning abortion at any stage of pregnancy with narrow exceptions. He also drew attention in 2025 when, on the 15th day of the U.S. government shutdown, he hosted a birthday party for his English bulldog Babydog at the Capitol.

Jim Justice Career Wins

Jim Justice has won three major statewide elections, becoming the only West Virginian in modern history to win a governorship as a Democrat and a U.S. Senate seat as a Republican.

Governor of West Virginia Highlights

Justice first won the governorship in 2016 as a Democrat, defeating Republican Bill Cole. He won reelection in 2020 as a Republican, defeating Ben Salango with more than 63 percent of the vote. In 2024, he won the U.S. Senate seat previously held by Joe Manchin, defeating Alex Mooney in the Republican primary and Glenn Elliott in the general election.

Other Wins and Achievements

Beyond politics, Justice has been recognized as a seven-time national corn growing champion and has won a state girls’ basketball championship as head coach of Greenbrier East High School in 2012. He also serves as owner or chief executive officer of more than 50 companies, including the Greenbrier, the National Historic Landmark resort in White Sulphur Springs, West Virginia.

Jim Justice Family

Family Background and Business Lineage

Justice is the son of James Conley Justice and Edna Ruth (née Perry) Justice. He grew up in Raleigh County, West Virginia, and inherited his father’s coal and agricultural businesses after his death in 1993. Justice placed his daughter Jill in charge of the Greenbrier and his son Jay in charge of his mining and agriculture businesses upon taking office as governor, and he has described his family as central to both his business and political life.

Personal Life

Justice met his wife, Cathy Justice (née Comer), in high school, and the couple married in 1975. They have two children, Jill Justice and Jay Justice, and are members of First Baptist Church in Beckley, a congregation of the American Baptist Churches USA. Justice lives in Lewisburg, West Virginia, stands 6 feet 7 inches tall, and is a lifelong fan of the New Orleans Saints of the National Football League. He is also well known for his English bulldog, Babydog, who has frequently appeared alongside him at public events.