Justice, James C.

James C. Justice II represents West Virginia in the U.S. Senate as a Republican, having been elected in 2024. He previously served as the state's 36th governor from 2017 to 2025. Before entering politics, Justice built a substantial business empire centered on agriculture and coal mining. He founded Bluestone Farms in 1977, which operates 50,000 acres and is the leading grain producer on the East Coast, and inherited coal mining operations from his father in 1993. He also owns the Greenbrier, a luxury resort and National Historic Landmark in White Sulphur Springs. As of 2025, Justice's net worth was estimated at $664.2 million, making him the wealthiest sitting U.S. senator.

Justice's Senate committee assignments reflect his business background and state interests. He serves on the Senate Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry; the Senate Committee on Energy and Natural Resources; and the Senate Committee on Small Business and Entrepreneurship. Within these committees, he participates in subcommittees covering food and nutrition, specialty crops, energy, public lands, forests, and mining. His legislative priorities align with these assignments, including sponsorship of bills related to mining safety and agricultural support.

Justice's political career has been marked by strategic party shifts. Although registered as a Republican, he ran for governor as a Democrat in 2015 and won. Less than seven months into his governorship, he switched back to the Republican Party at a rally with President Donald Trump. His 2024 Senate victory was historic—he became the first Republican to win West Virginia's Senate seat since 1956, defeating both the Republican primary opponent and the Democratic nominee, former Wheeling mayor Glenn Elliott.

Justice's business operations have faced significant legal and regulatory scrutiny. His mining companies have been cited for safety violations and unpaid taxes; in 2016, he was identified as the nation's top mine safety delinquent. He has settled multiple debt-related lawsuits and agreed to pay millions in delinquent fines and back taxes, including a 2025 settlement of $5.2 million in overdue personal income taxes. Additionally, his businesses received between $11 million and $24 million in pandemic relief funding through the Paycheck Protection Program.