Rise to Success: Career Highlights of Jim Justice

How Jim Justice built a successful career. Explore key moments that defined the journey.

Jim Justice is an American politician and businessman currently serving as a U.S. Senator for West Virginia (since 2025). He previously served as the 36th Governor of West Virginia (2017-2025). Justice inherited and expanded a coal mining business from his father, comprising 94 companies. His business ventures also include ownership of the Greenbrier, a luxury resort and National Historic Landmark. Once a billionaire, his net worth was estimated at $664.2 million in 2025.

Sections (4)

Full Timeline Early Life & Education Career & Achievements Controversies & Scandals

1977: Founded Bluestone Farms

In 1977, Jim Justice founded Bluestone Farms, which became a leading grain producer.

1992: Justice Became President of Beckley Little League

Since 1992, Jim Justice has been the president of Beckley Little League.

2003: Justice Became Girls' Basketball Coach

Since 2003, Jim Justice has been the girls' basketball coach at Greenbrier East High School.

2009: Bought The Greenbrier

In 2009, Jim Justice bought The Greenbrier resort for $20.5 million, preventing its bankruptcy.

2009: Sold Coal Business to Mechel

In 2009, Jim Justice sold part of his coal business to the Russian company Mechel for $568 million.

2011: Justice Became Head Coach of Boys' Basketball Teams

In 2011, Jim Justice also became the head coach of the boys' basketball teams at Greenbrier East High School.

2012: Justice Won State Championship

In 2012, Jim Justice won the state championship as the girls' basketball coach at Greenbrier East High School.

2014: Owned 70 Active Mines

As of 2014, Jim Justice owned 70 active mines across five states and had made significant charitable donations.

February 2015: Changed Party Registration

In February 2015, Jim Justice changed his party registration to Democratic.

2015: Announced Candidacy for Governor

In 2015, Jim Justice announced his candidacy for governor of West Virginia in the upcoming 2016 election.

2015: Bought Back Coal Business from Mechel

In 2015, Jim Justice bought back his coal business from Mechel for $5 million after a drop in coal prices.

May 2016: Won Democratic Nomination for Governor

In May 2016, Jim Justice won the Democratic nomination for governor of West Virginia.

2016: Elected Governor of West Virginia

In 2016, Jim Justice was elected as Governor of West Virginia, running as a Democrat.

2016: United Mine Workers Endorsed Justice

In 2016, the United Mine Workers endorsed Jim Justice for governor, but later endorsed his opponent in a subsequent election.

January 16, 2017: Took Office as Governor

On January 16, 2017, Jim Justice took office as governor of West Virginia.

August 3, 2017: Announced Return to Republican Party

On August 3, 2017, Jim Justice announced he had rejoined the Republican Party at a rally hosted by President Donald Trump in Huntington, making him the first Republican governor of West Virginia since 2001.

2017: Served as the 36th Governor of West Virginia

In 2017, Jim Justice began his service as the 36th governor of West Virginia.

2017: Justice Opposed Bill on LGBTQ Service Refusal

In 2017, Jim Justice opposed a bill that would have allowed businesses to refuse service to LGBTQ customers.

2017: Opposed Budget Cuts

In 2017, Jim Justice opposed budget cuts and supported raising sales taxes to improve West Virginia's budget situation.

2017: Justice Stepped Down as Boys' Basketball Coach

In 2017, Jim Justice stepped down as the head coach of the boys' basketball teams at Greenbrier East High School.

2017: Switched Back to Republican Party

In 2017, Jim Justice switched back to the Republican Party after a rally with President Donald Trump.

2018: Endorsed Patrick Morrisey for Senate

In 2018, Jim Justice endorsed Republican Senate candidate Patrick Morrisey after initially supporting Democrat Joe Manchin.

2018: Justice Signed Bill Allowing Guns in Vehicles at Work

In 2018, Jim Justice, as Governor of West Virginia, signed into law a bill allowing gun owners to keep their guns locked in vehicles on their employers' property. The National Rifle Association (NRA) supported this bill, and he also signed a bill legalizing hunting on Sundays on private land in 2018.

January 2019: Declared Candidacy for Reelection as Republican

In January 2019, Jim Justice declared his candidacy for reelection as governor, this time as a Republican.

November 3, 2020: Defeated Ben Salango in Gubernatorial Election

On November 3, 2020, Jim Justice defeated Ben Salango in the gubernatorial election, becoming the first Republican gubernatorial candidate to win since 1996 and the first GOP incumbent to win a second term since 1972.

2020: Justice Supported the Fairness Act

In 2020, Jim Justice said he would support the Fairness Act, legislation that would prohibit discrimination based on sexual orientation and gender identity.

2020: Signed Critical Infrastructure Protection Act

In 2020, Jim Justice signed into law the Critical Infrastructure Protection Act, which created felony penalties for protests targeting oil and gas facilities.

2020: Reelected as Governor of West Virginia

In 2020, Jim Justice was reelected as Governor of West Virginia.

February 2021: Urged Manchin to Vote for Stimulus Package

In February 2021, Jim Justice urged Senator Joe Manchin to vote for the $1.9 trillion stimulus package proposed by President Joe Biden.

2021: Justice Signed Law Prohibiting Transgender Athletes

In 2021, Jim Justice signed a law prohibiting transgender athletes from competing in West Virginia.

September 2022: Signed Bill Banning Abortion

In September 2022, Jim Justice signed into law a bill banning abortion at any stage of pregnancy, with limited exceptions, and stated that he stood "rock solid for life" as governor.

March 1, 2023: Justice Signed Campus Carry Bill into Law

On March 1, 2023, Jim Justice signed into law a bill legalizing campus carry for those with concealed carry permits in West Virginia.

April 2023: Announced Candidacy for U.S. Senate

In April 2023, Jim Justice announced his candidacy for the 2024 United States Senate election in West Virginia.

2023: Justice Signed Legislation Prohibiting Gender-Affirming Care for Minors

In 2023, Jim Justice signed legislation prohibiting gender-affirming care for minors.

December 26, 2024: Announced Completion of Gubernatorial Term

On December 26, 2024, Jim Justice announced that he would complete his gubernatorial term before joining the Senate.

2024: Defeated Opponents to Win Senate Seat

In 2024, Jim Justice defeated Alex Mooney in the Republican primary and Glenn Elliott in the general election to win a seat in the United States Senate.

2024: Justice to Review Fairness Act

In 2024, Jim 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.

2024: Justice Vetoed Bill on Vaccination Requirements

In 2024, Jim Justice vetoed a bill to curb vaccination requirements for nontraditional public school students.

2024: Elected to the Senate

In 2024, Jim Justice was elected to the Senate, marking the first Republican to win that seat since 1956.

January 13, 2025: End of Jim Justice's Gubernatorial Term

January 13, 2025, marked the end of Jim Justice's gubernatorial term, prior to his move to the senate.

January 2025: Missed Senate Vote and Applauded Trump Tariffs

In January 2025, Jim Justice missed the first roll-call vote of his Senate tenure and applauded President Donald Trump's tariff announcement.

2025: Serving as United States Senator from West Virginia

In 2025, Jim Justice began serving as the junior United States senator from West Virginia.

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