Jim Justice

Jim Justice
Born	James Conley Justice II 27 4, 1951
Birthplace	Charleston, West Virginia, U.S.
Nationality	American
Occupation	Politician, businessman
Title	United States Senator from West Virginia
Employer	United States Senate
Known for	36th Governor of West Virginia, U.S. Senator from West Virginia
Education	Marshall University
Spouse(s)	Cathy Justice

James Conley Justice II (born April 27, 1951) is an American politician and businessman serving as the junior United States senator from West Virginia since January 2025. A member of the Republican Party, Justice previously served as the 36th Governor of West Virginia from 2017 to 2025. Before entering politics, Justice inherited and expanded a coal mining business from his father that encompassed dozens of companies, and he and his family became owners of The Greenbrier, a luxury resort and National Historic Landmark in White Sulphur Springs, West Virginia. Justice's political career has been marked by an unusual trajectory: though a registered Republican before his first campaign, he ran for governor as a Democrat in 2016, won the general election, and then switched back to the Republican Party less than seven months into his tenure. In 2024, he was elected to the U.S. Senate, winning the seat previously held by Joe Manchin and becoming the first Republican to win that seat since 1956. His business dealings, including significant unpaid taxes and legal disputes involving his coal companies, have drawn sustained scrutiny throughout his political career.

Early Life

James Conley Justice II was born on April 27, 1951, in Charleston, West Virginia. He grew up in a family deeply connected to the coal industry in southern West Virginia. His father built a coal mining business that would eventually grow to include 94 companies, forming the foundation of the Justice family's considerable wealth. Justice inherited the business and expanded its operations over time, becoming one of the largest landowners in the state.

The Justice family's business interests extended beyond coal. Justice and his family acquired The Greenbrier, a storied luxury resort and National Historic Landmark located in White Sulphur Springs, West Virginia. The resort, which had fallen into financial difficulty, underwent extensive restoration under Justice's ownership. The acquisition of The Greenbrier elevated Justice's public profile in West Virginia and established him as one of the state's most prominent businessmen.

Justice's physical stature also contributed to his public persona. Standing at a considerable height, he was described as a "gentle giant" in media profiles, a characterization that would follow him into political life. Before entering politics, Justice was involved in philanthropic activities in the state, including the Dream Tree for Kids program, which distributed gifts to children.

Education

Justice attended Marshall University in Huntington, West Virginia. He was involved in athletics at the university, a connection that would remain significant throughout his life. His ties to Marshall and to West Virginia's collegiate sports programs became a notable part of his public identity, and he later coached high school basketball in the state.

Career

Business Career

Justice's business career centered on the coal industry, which he inherited from his father. The family business encompassed 94 companies involved in coal mining operations, making Justice one of the most significant figures in the Appalachian coal industry. His coal operations spanned multiple states, including West Virginia and Virginia.

In addition to coal, Justice's most high-profile business venture was the ownership of The Greenbrier, the historic luxury resort in White Sulphur Springs. Justice undertook a significant restoration effort at the property, which had previously entered bankruptcy. The resort, which had served as a hospital during World War II and housed a secret government bunker during the Cold War, regained its status as a premier destination under Justice's stewardship.

Justice was once classified as a billionaire, though his estimated wealth has fluctuated. The Wall Street Journal reported on his wealth and business ambitions when he entered politics in 2015.

However, Justice's business empire has been the subject of extensive legal and financial scrutiny. His coal companies have faced numerous lawsuits and fines. In 2025 and 2026, courts continued to find Justice and his coal companies liable for significant financial obligations. A Virginia judge found Justice and his coal companies owed $8.2 million, amid growing scrutiny of his business operations.

Justice and his wife Cathy also faced significant federal tax liabilities. In November 2025, they agreed to pay more than $5.1 million in unpaid federal income taxes. According to reporting by Politico, the back taxes dated back over 15 years, and a lawsuit filed in West Virginia alleged that the Justices had received notice of the funds due since 2009 but had not paid. The settlement attracted widespread national and international media coverage. In a separate matter, Justice claimed that the Internal Revenue Service owed him $38 million.

2016 Gubernatorial Campaign

On May 11, 2015, Justice announced his candidacy for Governor of West Virginia in the 2016 election. Although he had been a registered Republican before running, Justice chose to run as a Democrat. A central plank of his campaign was the promise to revitalize West Virginia's coal industry and put miners back to work.

Justice's candidacy received the endorsement of the United Mine Workers of America (UMWA) in November 2015, a significant boost for his campaign in a state where coal mining had historically been central to the economy and political identity.

Justice won the Democratic primary election, securing the party's nomination for governor. In the November 2016 general election, he defeated the Republican nominee, Bill Cole, to become the 36th Governor of West Virginia.

Governor of West Virginia (2017–2025)

Justice was inaugurated as the 36th Governor of West Virginia on January 16, 2017. During his tenure, he served with three lieutenant governors: Mitch Carmichael, Craig Blair, and Randy Smith.

Justice's governorship was marked early on by a contentious relationship with the state legislature. In February 2017, he publicly criticized the Republican-controlled legislature over budget matters, calling Senate Majority Leader a "poodle" in a heated exchange. In March 2017, he continued his criticisms, referring to legislators as "knuckleheads" and "blockheads" over their handling of the state budget.

In April 2017, Justice made headlines when he brought a plate of bull manure to the statehouse during a press conference as a visual prop to express his frustration with the legislature, an act that attracted national media attention.

The most significant political event of Justice's first year in office was his decision to switch parties. On August 4, 2017, less than seven months after taking office as a Democrat, Justice announced that he was switching to the Republican Party. He made the announcement at a rally alongside President Donald Trump in Huntington, West Virginia. The move drew significant attention nationally, as it reflected the broader realignment of West Virginia politics toward the Republican Party.

Justice ran for reelection in 2020, this time as a Republican, and won a second term as governor. He served until January 13, 2025, when he was succeeded by Patrick Morrisey.

2024 Senate Campaign

Justice entered the 2024 United States Senate race in West Virginia, seeking the seat being vacated by Joe Manchin, who chose not to seek reelection. In the Republican primary, Justice faced U.S. Representative Alex Mooney and prevailed. In the November 2024 general election, Justice defeated the Democratic nominee, former Wheeling mayor Glenn Elliott. With his victory, Justice became the first Republican to win that particular Senate seat since 1956, a milestone that underscored the political transformation of West Virginia from a historically Democratic state to a Republican stronghold.

U.S. Senate (2025–present)

Justice was sworn in as the junior United States senator from West Virginia on January 14, 2025, succeeding Joe Manchin. He serves alongside senior senator Shelley Moore Capito.

Since taking office, Justice has been noted for his unusual commuting habits. Rather than maintaining a primary residence in Washington, D.C., Justice commutes almost daily from West Virginia to the capital, a practice documented in media reports as of October 2025.

Justice's personal style in the Senate has attracted media attention. Reports have described his preference for dining at an Outback Steakhouse in a strip mall rather than the upscale restaurants frequented by many Washington politicians. He has been frequently accompanied by his English bulldog, Babydog, who became well known during his gubernatorial campaigns and tenure.

Justice's business affairs have continued to draw scrutiny during his Senate tenure. The settlement of over $5.1 million in back taxes in November 2025 received coverage from outlets including Politico, The Guardian, the BBC, and West Virginia Watch. In January 2026, Justice asserted that the IRS owed him $38 million, a claim that further illustrated the complexity of his financial situation. Separately, a Virginia court ruling in February 2026 found that Justice and his coal companies owed $8.2 million, as scrutiny of his business operations in Virginia continued to grow.

Personal Life

Justice is married to Cathy Justice. The couple resides in West Virginia, and Justice has maintained his home in the state rather than relocating to Washington, D.C., commuting to the capital for his Senate duties.

Justice's English bulldog, Babydog, has become a notable public figure in her own right. The dog accompanied Justice during his gubernatorial tenure and has continued to be a presence in his Senate career, including at his preferred dining spot in the Washington, D.C., metropolitan area.

Justice's family business interests, particularly in coal mining, have remained a consistent aspect of his public life. He and his family continue to own The Greenbrier resort. His financial affairs have been a subject of ongoing public attention, particularly the tax disputes and coal company legal proceedings that have continued during his time in the Senate.

Recognition

Justice's election as governor in 2016 was notable as a Democrat winning in an increasingly Republican state, a feat attributed in part to his personal wealth and name recognition from his business activities. His subsequent party switch in 2017, announced alongside President Donald Trump, was covered as a significant political event reflective of broader partisan realignment in Appalachia.

His 2024 Senate victory was historically significant: Justice became the first Republican to win West Virginia's Class 1 Senate seat since 1956, completing a generational political shift in the state. The race was covered as part of the broader national narrative of West Virginia's transformation from a Democratic bastion to a Republican stronghold.

Justice received the endorsement of the United Mine Workers of America during his 2016 gubernatorial campaign, a notable recognition from one of the most historically significant labor organizations in Appalachian politics.

Media profiles have described Justice using the moniker "Gentle Giant," a reference to his physical stature and personal demeanor.