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."
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