Jim Justice speaks during the Big Atlantic Classic Banquet earlier this year at the Beckley-Raleigh County Convention Center.
BECKLEY, W.Va. — Resort owner, coal mine owner, basketball coach — Jim Justice wears many hats. Lately, he’s been deciding whether or not to throw one of them into the ring to run for governor.
Justice said Tuesday he’s “very seriously considering” filing for the Democrat Party’s nomination to replace Gov. Earl Ray Tomblin, who cannot seek another term. Justice, who owns both The Greenbrier and the Resort at Glade Springs, said he still has to discuss it with his family, but has had numerous people ask him to make the run.
While he said the decision will be made soon, because it needs to be, U.S. Sen. Joe Manchin’s announcement Sunday that he will run for his Senate seat again instead of governor did have an impact, and he said he admires the work Manchin has done.
“I think Joe Manchin has done a great job for West Virginia,” Justice said. “He’s become a national leader; he can have a profound impact on our nation.”
Along with being noted for his size — Justice towers well above 6 feet — the resorts and developing a PGA golf tournament, building a practice facility for the New Orleans Saints and a professional tennis venue, he is also a vocal proponent of West Virginia.
Justice said that he’d bring not only the love, but the experience in business to Charleston if he does decide to run…
