West Virginia Gov. Jim Justice announced during a rally with President Trump on Thursday that he is leaving the Democratic Party to become a Republican.
"Today, I tell you as West Virginians, I can't help you anymore being a Democrat governor," Justice said. "So tomorrow, I will be changing my registration to Republican." Justice is the state's only billionaire and made his money in the coal industry, and did not support Hillary Clinton during last year's election. Elizabeth Pearson, executive director of the Democratic Governors Association, said Justice "deceived the voters of West Virginia when he ran as a Democrat eight months ago," while Gov. Scott Walker (R-Wis.) of the Republican Governors Association said the group was "thrilled that Gov. Jim Justice wants to join our efforts."
Subscribe to The Week
Escape your echo chamber. Get the facts behind the news, plus analysis from multiple perspectives.
Sign up for The Week's Free Newsletters
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
-
Magnificent Tudor castles and stately homes to visit this yearThe Week Recommends The return of 'Wolf Hall' has sparked an uptick in visits to Britain's Tudor palaces
-
I'm a Celebrity 2024: 'utterly bereft of new ideas'?Talking Point Coleen Rooney is the star attraction but latest iteration of reality show is a case of 'rinse and repeat'
-
The clown car cabinetOpinion Even 'Little Marco' towers above his fellow nominees
-
Quincy Jones, music icon, is dead at 91Speed Read The legendary producer is perhaps best known as the architect behind Michael Jackson's 'Thriller'
-
OJ Simpson, star athlete tried for murder, dead at 76Speed Read The former football hero and murder suspect lost his battle with cancer
-
Momofuku's 'Chili Crunch' trademark uproarSpeed Read The company's attempt to own the sole rights has prompted backlash
-
Kevin Hart awarded Mark Twain PrizeSpeed Read He is the 25th recipient of the prestigious comedy prize
-
Is Downton Abbey set to return for a final film?Speed Read Imelda Staunton reveals that a third movie may be in the pipeline
-
'Oppenheimer' sweeps Oscars with 7 winsspeed read The film won best picture, best director (Christopher Nolan) and best actor (Cillian Murphy)
-
'Rust' armorer convicted of manslaughterspeed read The film's cinematographer Halyna Hutchins was shot and killed by actor Alec Baldwin during rehearsal
-
The Beatles are getting 4 intersecting biopicsSpeed Read Director Sam Mendes is making four separate movies, each told from the perspective of one band member
