West Virginia Governor Jim Justice on Thursday night announced plans to change his political party affiliation from Democrat to Republican. The announcement to dump the troubled Party was delivered at a fully packed Donald Trump rally with President Trump on stage where it received thunderous applause.
West Virginia Governor Jim Justin making the announcement with President Trump on stage on Thursday, 3 August 2017. Credit: Justin Merriman/Getty Images
“Today I will tell you as West Virginians, I can’t help you anymore being a Democrat governor,” he said amidst loud cheers and thunderous applause. “So tomorrow, I will be changing my registration to Republican.”
The announcement was made at the James C. Justice National Scout Camp in Huntington, West Virginia, named after the Governor. The symbolism of the venue did not go unnoticed as the Left hates the Boy Scouts of America with a passion.
The shift has given the GOP total control over the entire state. With Governor Justice moving across the aisle, Republicans now have an advantage with 34-15 governorships nationwide over Democrats.
With Justice having crossed the aisle, this means that Senator Joe Manchin is now the only elected Democrat representative in the entire state of West Virginia.
The big switch doesn’t seem to be an isolated incident. In a state that Donald Trump won easily with over 41% crushing Hillary Clinton, West Virginia has become a reliable Republican state both in Presidential elections and further down the ballot.
West Virginia Governor Jim Justice with President Trump after announcing party affiliation switch at a Trump Rally on Thursday 3 August 2017. Credit: Carlos Barria/Reuters
Immediately after the announcement, the Republican National Committee (RNC) released a statement stating that Governor Justice’s political party switch is “another blow” to the Democrats.
“Governor Justice’s party switch is another blow to a Democratic Party that would rather obstruct than work to make our country great again,” read the statement.
“With only 15 governorships and control of the fewest state legislatures in history, Governor Justice’s announcement is just the latest rejection of a party that is leaderless from top to bottom and unable to find a positive, unifying message,” said RNC Chairwoman Ronna Romney McDaniel.
“While Democrats continue to put politics before the American people, Republicans are working with President Trump to lead America towards a future with fewer burdensome regulations, greater economic stability, and stronger national security. Governor Justice, welcome back to the Republican Party.”
The big switch has shaken the already weakened Democrats to the core. Nationwide, this is a party in crisis with an ideological problem and facing a serious identity crisis.
President Trump had teased earlier in the day that he had a “very big announcement” for Thursday’s rally and he delivered.
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