Republican Jim Justice Launches Bid for Manchin Senate Seat (1)

Jim Justice, the Republican governor of West Virginia, will run for the Senate seat now held by moderate Joe Manchin, setting up a marquee clash in Democrats’ struggle to keep control of the chamber in 2024.

Justice, a former Democrat who switched parties during the Trump administration, filed official paperwork Thursday to run for the Senate after months of speculation from onlookers and teasing from Justice.

Then-President Donald Trump, right, shakes hands with Jim Justice, governor of West Virginia, during a rally in Charleston, West Virginia, U.S., on Tuesday, Aug. 21, 2018.

Photographer: Maddie McGarvey/Bloomberg

He tweeted an opening video for his campaign Thursday afternoon touting his record of cutting taxes, expanding gun rights and restricting abortion.

“I’m committed to fighting for energy jobs, tax ...