“to cut our roads and our schools and everything else.”
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James Conley Justice II is an American politician and businessman serving since 2025 as the junior United States senator from West Virginia. A member of the Republican Party, he served from 2017 to 2025 as the 36th governor of West Virginia. Justice was once a billionaire, but his net worth was estimated at $664.2 million in 2025, making him the richest U.S. senator as of that year. He inherited a…
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business · American businessman and politician (born 1951) · politician · businessperson · also Jim Justice, James Conley Justice Jr., James Conley Justice II, Governor Justice, Gov. Justice, James Conley Justice
Born 27 April 1951 · Q20684288
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Jim Justice marks the 23rd anniversary of the September 11 attacks
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“to cut our roads and our schools and everything else.”
“But my first and foremost obligation — there’s no question — is to be the governor.”
“It’s my release. I don’t go on vacation. I work all the bloomin’ time. This is my vacation.”
Public attention spiked: 2,529 Wikipedia readers in one day, 5× the usual 503, with 2 article edits. Editors noted: 2020 The rally where Justice announced his switch to the Republican Party occurred in August 2017
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Public attention spiked: 2,535 Wikipedia readers in one day, 5× the usual 503, with 0 article edits.
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Los Angeles Times: Sen. Jim Justice of West Virginia agrees to pay nearly $5.2M in overdue personal taxes
UPI: Sen. Jim Justice, wife agree to pay $5M in back taxes
Washington Examiner: Jim Justice agrees to pay over $5 million in back taxes
Career landmark: United States senator (2025).
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Justice announced that he would complete his gubernatorial term, which ended on January 13, 2025, before joining the Senate, reducing his Senate term by 10 days
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Wall Street Journal: Jim Justice Wins West Virginia, in First Senate Flip for GOP
Winning the seat previously held by Joe Manchin
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Vetoed a bill to curb Vaccination requirements for nontraditional public school students
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Justice said he would need to review and "see the bill" before committing to sign the Fairness Act, legislation that would prohibit discrimination based on sexual orientation and gender identity in employment and custome
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PolitiFact rated the claim “Jim Justice “broke his pledge, raised the gas tax.”” False.
Shown as reported and rated by a fact checker, not as an established fact.
Claimed: ““2022 was the biggest tourism year ever in West Virginia”” — rated Half True by PolitiFact.
Shown as reported and rated by a fact checker, not as an established fact.
Claimed: ““Under Jim Justice,” West Virginia had “the lowest unemployment rate in state history.”” — rated Mostly True by PolitiFact.
Shown as reported and rated by a fact checker, not as an established fact.
PolitiFact rated the claim “Jim Justice “supports banning sporting rifles for law-abiding citizens.”” False.
Shown as reported and rated by a fact checker, not as an established fact.
PolitiFact rated the claim “Jim Justice "opposes the Right to Work”” Mostly False.
Shown as reported and rated by a fact checker, not as an established fact.
Claimed: “"Credit card debt is above $1 trillion for the FIRST TIME EVER."” — rated Mostly True by PolitiFact.
Shown as reported and rated by a fact checker, not as an established fact.
Justice signed into law a bill legalizing campus carry for those with concealed carry permits
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Justice signed legislation prohibiting gender transition for minors
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Justice signed HB 2694, the Second Amendment Preservation and Anti-Federal Commandeering Act
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Claimed: ““We're now at 108.1% of the vaccines received that we've put in arms, meaning that we've got more vaccines out of the vials and absolutely not throwing a single one away.”” — rated Thanks to "extra" doses in vial by PolitiFact.
Shown as reported and rated by a fact checker, not as an established fact.
Justice appointed Bray Cary to the West Virginia University board of directors
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Defeated Salango with over 63% of the vote to Salango's 30%
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Claimed: ““West Virginia has one of the greatest percentages of veterans in any state.”” — rated True by PolitiFact.
Shown as reported and rated by a fact checker, not as an established fact.
Justice signed into law the Critical Infrastructure Protection Act, which created felony penalties for protests targeting oil and gas facilities
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Claimed: ““Now, in Cabell County, we just had information that we reduced our overdoses by 40 percent.”” — rated Yes for nonfatal cases by PolitiFact.
Shown as reported and rated by a fact checker, not as an established fact.
And in 2020 mining companies Justice or his family owned agreed to pay $5 million in delinquent safety fines
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Claimed: “"Hunters contribute more than $500 million" to West Virginia.” — rated Mostly True by PolitiFact.
Shown as reported and rated by a fact checker, not as an established fact.
Claimed: “Says that when he was sworn in as governor, “our state was bankrupt for all practical purposes.”” — rated Not the right word by PolitiFact.
Shown as reported and rated by a fact checker, not as an established fact.
Claimed: ““According to SCUBA divers, Summersville Lake is the clearest freshwater lake east of the Mississippi River.”” — rated Mostly False by PolitiFact.
Shown as reported and rated by a fact checker, not as an established fact.
While Governor of West Virginia, he signed into a law a bill allowing gun owners to keep their guns locked in vehicles on their employers' property, a bill the National Rifle Association (NRA) supported
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Justice announced that he had rejoined the Republican Party
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While vetoing a budget bill passed by the West Virginia legislature, Justice said the bill was "nothing more than a bunch of political you-know-what" and showed a prop featuring cow manure on a print copy of the bill
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Career landmark: Governor of West Virginia (2017–2025).
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Opposed a bill that would have allowed businesses to refuse service to LGBTQ customers
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Justice said that he opposed budget cuts and supported raising sales taxes
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“s decision in Obergefell v. Hodges, which legalized same-sex marriage nationwide, and that it is settled law. In 2017, he opposed a bill that would have allowed businesses to refuse service to LGBTQ customers. In 2023, Justice signed legislation prohibiting gender transition for minors. In 2024, Justice said he would need to review and”
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“nothing more than a bunch of political you-know-what”
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NPR called him the nation's "top mine safety delinquent"
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But Justice was endorsed by the businessmen's association West Virginia Coal Association, which said he had "worked to protect the miners, increase coal production, and explore innovative ways to use coal for new product
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Justice announced his candidacy for governor in 2016
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After a huge drop in the price of coal led Mechel to close some of the mines, he bought the business back for $5 million
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Justice declared his candidacy for governor of West Virginia in the 2016 election as a member of the Democratic Party
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Also became the head coach of the boys' basketball teams, a position from which he stepped down in 2017
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Sold some of his coal business to the Russian company Mechel for $568 million
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And the first GOP incumbent to win a second term since Arch A
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Justice inherited ownership of Bluestone Industries and Bluestone Coal Corporation
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Which now operates 50,000 acres (20,000 ha) of farmland, and is the leading producer of grain on the East Coast of the United States
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Born 1951-04-27.
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s decision in Obergefell v. Hodges, which legalized same-sex marriage nationwide, and that it is settled law. In 2017, he opposed a bill that would have allowed businesses to refuse service to LGBTQ customers. In 2023, Justice signed legislation prohibiting gender transition for minors. In 2024, Justice said he would need to review and
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