West Virginia Governor Jim Justice is officially in the Senate race, having announced his bid to unseat incumbent Democrat Joe Manchin. While we have long had this race as favored to flip – we started it at Likely Republican in our initial ratings back in January – Justice’s entry is yet another problem for Manchin in what is likely to be his first general election defeat of his career.

As West Virginia continues to solidify itself as a red bastion at all levels, Manchin has become the last Democrat standing. And we’re confident that 2024 will mark a historic shift in West Virginia history. We’re moving the West Virginia Senate race to Safe Republican.

[That likely would have been the case anyway, but the Justice/Babydog ticket makes it obvious. — Ed]