Sen.-elect Gov. Jim Justice (R-W.Va.) said Thursday that he will delay his swearing in as West Virginia’s junior senator to serve out the remainder of his time in office as governor of the state.
Justice, who is replacing outgoing Sen. Joe Manchin (I-W.Va.), said he will be sworn in on Jan. 13 instead of Jan. 3, when the new Congress is sworn into office. Jan. 13 is also when Gov.-elect Patrick Morrisey, a Republican who is currently the state’s attorney general, will take office.
“My whole thinking behind all this is the continuity of government is essential during transitions,” Justice said in a press briefing on Thursday, adding that between Jan. 3 and Jan. 20, when President-elect Donald Trump takes office, “there won’t be anything happening, really.”…