History of Jim Justice in Timeline
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.
2 hours ago : Jim Justice and wife face $5M tax suit, agree to pay back taxes.
Sen. Jim Justice and his wife were sued for $5 million in unpaid taxes going back to 2009. They reached a settlement agreeing to pay the amount following legal action from the DOJ and IRS.
April 27, 1951: James Conley Justice II Born
On April 27, 1951, James Conley Justice II was born. He would later become a businessman, the governor of West Virginia, and a United States Senator.
1956: Last time a Republican won Jim Justice's senate seat.
1956 was the last time a Republican won the senate seat that Jim Justice would later win in 2024.
1969: Graduated from Woodrow Wilson High School
In 1969, Jim Justice graduated from Woodrow Wilson High School in Beckley.
1972: Last GOP Incumbent To Win West Virginia Second Term
1972 was the last time a GOP incumbent won a second term in West Virginia before Jim Justice.
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.
1996: Last Republican West Virginian Gubernatorial Win Before Justice
1996 was the last time a Republican won a West Virginian guernatorial election before Jim Justice.
2001: Last Republican West Virginia Governer Before Jim Justice
2001 was the last time a Republican was West Virginia governor before Jim Justice.
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.
2014: Owned 70 Active Mines
As of 2014, Jim Justice owned 70 active mines across five states and had made significant charitable donations.
2014: Justice Developed Training Camp for the Saints
In 2014, Jim Justice spent $30 million to develop a training camp for the New Orleans Saints to use at the Greenbrier.
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.
2016: Justice Equivocated on Global Warming Consensus
In a 2016 interview, Jim Justice said he had concerns about global warming but believed more research was needed, declining to state a firm belief in the phenomenon.
January 16, 2017: Took Office as Governor
On January 16, 2017, Jim Justice took office as governor of West Virginia.
April 13, 2017: Vetoed Budget Bill with Cow Manure Prop
On April 13, 2017, Jim Justice vetoed a budget bill passed by the West Virginia legislature, calling it "nothing more than a bunch of political you-know-what" and displaying a prop featuring cow manure.
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: 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.
2019: Debt-Related Lawsuits Settled
In 2019, Jim Justice settled two debt-related lawsuits.
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: ProPublica Investigation
According to a 2020 ProPublica investigation, Jim Justice had paid more than $128 million in judgments and settlements over his businesses' unpaid bills.
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.
2020: Mining Companies Agreed to Pay Delinquent Fines
In 2020, mining companies owned by Jim Justice or his family agreed to pay $5 million in delinquent safety fines.
February 2021: Said He Would Likely Fade Off
In February 2021, Jim Justice told the New York Times he would likely fade off if he could continue doing good stuff for 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.
October 2021: Forbes Estimated Net Worth
In October 2021, Forbes estimated Jim Justice's net worth at $513.3 million.
2021: Appointed Bray Cary to WVU Board of Directors
In 2021, Jim Justice appointed Bray Cary to the West Virginia University board of directors and later received loans from him.
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.
2024: Babydog Appeared at Republican National Convention
In 2024, Jim Justice's English bulldog, Babydog, appeared alongside him at public engagements, including at the Republican National Convention.
2024: Called a Moderate or Liberal Republican
Leading up to the 2024 election, Jim Justice has been described as a moderate or liberal Republican.
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: Net Worth Fell Below Zero
By January 2025, Forbes reported that Jim Justice's net worth had fallen below zero due to over $1 billion in debt.
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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