Justice endorses Capito to be his successor
(Capitol Notes - Graphic Illustration/MetroCreative)
CHARLESTON — A spokesman for a Republican frontrunner for West Virginia governor on Friday discounted the current governor’s endorsement of his opponent. Gov. Jim Justice late Thursday afternoon endorsed Moore Capito, a Republican in a six-way race for the party’s nomination led by Attorney General Patrick Morrisey. Capito is the grandson of former Gov. Arch A. Moore and the son of U.S. Sen. Shelley Moore Capito, R-W.Va. “If only politicians and swamp creatures voted, of course the liberal son of a senator would win. That’s Capito’s constituency,” said Taylor Van Kirk, Morrisey campaign spokesman. “But West Virginia Republicans aren’t going to elect someone Donald Trump Jr. rightfully called a RINO (Republican in Name Only),” Van Kirk said. “They are going to overwhelmingly elect Patrick Morrisey.” Morrisey’s latest numbers from several pollsters put his support at more than 30% of likely Republican voters and leads Capito, Chris Miller and Secretary of State Mac Warner. Miller, of Huntington, is the son of U.S. Rep. Carol Miller, R-W.Va. Other Republicans who filed for the primary election are Kevin “K.C.” Christian of Chloe and Mitch Roberts of Poca. Steve Williams of Huntington is the only Democrat in the primary and Chase Linko-Looper of the Mountain Party also filed for governor. Capito said “Justice is a leader of generational consequence” and it was an honor to receive the endorsement. Justice brought visionary leadership that caused major job creation, investment and innovation, turned major deficits into budget surpluses, tax relief for families and businesses, economic growth, protected Life and expanded 2nd Amendment protections and improved education and public safety, Capito said. “Now is the time to take us to the next level,” Capito said. “As governor, I look forward to working with Sen. Justice to keep getting it done for West Virginia by generating new opportunities for West Virginians and those who want to come here for our Wild Wonderful way of life.” Statements from the Warner and Miller campaigns were not immediately available. The primary election is May 14. Early voting is from May 1-11. “We have good candidates, and I admire each for their individual accomplishments. As I have watched this campaign mature, however, I am saddened by the ridiculous mudslinging. I have realized only one candidate is laser focused on continuing to keep us on the path of goodness for all of us,” Justice said in his statement released through the governor’s communications office. “I think only one truly understands that we got here by pulling the rope together. Our great turnaround story still has chapters to be written, and I believe one candidate is prepared to keep the course. “We have a great opportunity to put President Trump back in the White House and have a unanimous Republican team from West Virginia working together in Washington. That’s why it’s so important to have a ‘get it done’ governor who will connect the pieces to help our great state,” Justice said. “Therefore, today I am honored to announce my wholehearted endorsement for Moore Capito for governor and that I will support him in every way. He is from a family of thoroughbreds: from his three-time-elected governor-grandfather Arch Moore to his current United States senator-mother Shelley Moore Capito,” Justice said. “Moore has shown he has the vision and knowledge to elevate West Virginia, and I am proud to wish him success.” Jess Mancini can be reached at jmancini@newsandsentinel.com