Justice Undecided On Transition Timeline

Gov. Jim Justice says he has yet to decide on the timeline for his transition into his new role as a U.S. Senator.

New U.S. Senators are set to be sworn in on Jan. 3. However, West Virginia has set Jan. 13 as the date for governor elect Patrick Morrisey to be sworn in. That timeline means Justice would need to leave the governor’s office ten days early to show up to D.C.

At his press briefing Friday, the governor says he has not decided when to leave his current office.

“Cleanest way is for me to stay in office until the 13th and then pass the torch to [Morrisey], you know, as the proper way to do it, but with the dates and everything, all that may not work out that way,” Justice said. “But we’re still working on it. So that’s not set in stone yet at all.”

If Justice leaves office early, Senate President Craig Blair, R-Berkley, would become acting governor. Blair is set to leave his West Virginia senate seat Jan. 8 after losing his primary in the spring. Currently, Senate Republicans are debating who to promote to Senate President, who could then become acting governor.

Announcing his transition team this week, Morrisey said his team had been working with the governor’s office.

“Governor Justice has been very open,” Morrisey said. “I expect we’re going to have the ability to take a look under the hood. That’s part of what the next two months is all about, on revenue and financial issues.”

October revenue reports showed the state’s revenue below estimates by $13,810,207 for the fiscal year thus far.

Justice confirmed the cooperation, cautioning financial responsibility.

“You’ve got to absolutely know what you’re doing and everything, and I’m confident that [Morrisey] will do exactly that,” Justice said. “But if you don’t, then not good things will happen.”

Justice also said he would support Morrisey throughout his term as governor.

“Listen to the people over top of listening to advisors or lobbyists or whatever,” Justice said. “I’ll be available any hour of the day to try to help [Morrisey], and I’ll surely look on him to be a great friend.”