Republicans get Justice in West Virginia Senate race

Manchin has said he will not decide whether he will run for reelection until the end of the year. He has also left the door open to a presidential bid.

“I am laser focused on doing the job West Virginians elected me to do — lowering healthcare costs, protecting Social Security and Medicare, shoring up American energy security and getting our fiscal house in order,” Manchin said in a statement released Thursday. “But make no mistake, I will win any race I enter.”

The National Republican Senatorial Committee played an active role in recruiting Justice. With a 64 percent approval rating, Justice is the fifth-most popular governor in the country, according to a survey conducted last year by Morning Consult.

Before taking on Manchin, Justice must face GOP Rep. Alex Mooney in the Republican primary. The conservative group Club for Growth has vowed to spend at least $10 million on the race, and has already reported spending from its super PAC this week.

The congressman is launching an TV ad on Thursday that bashes Justice as a “liberal.” Justice was previously registered as a Democrat and switched parties in 2017.

Both candidates would benefit greatly from Trump’s endorsement and are angling for that support. Mooney flew down to Florida for a congressional fundraiser on Friday — and also chatted up Trump at the event. Mooney’s campaign wants Trump to at least stay neutral if he won’t endorse the conservative congressman, according to a person briefed on the event.

POLITICO previously reported that Justice planned to launch his campaign on Thursday.

Burgess Everett, Ally Mutnick and Meridith McGraw contributed to this report.