West Virginia Gov. Jim Justice Switching Parties Ahead Of Trump Visit

CHARLESTON, WV — West Virginia Gov. Jim Justice, a Democrat, is switching parties and joining Republicans as President Donald Trump plans to visit the increasingly conservative state.

Justice's plans were confirmed to The Associated Press on Thursday by a Democratic Party official with knowledge of his plans. The official spoke on condition of anonymity because he was not authorized to discuss the decision before the announcement.

The governor is expected to publicly announce his decision Thursday evening at a campaign rally with the president. (For more information on this and other neighborhood stories, subscribe to Patch to receive daily newsletters and breaking news alerts. If you have an iPhone, click here to get the free Patch iPhone app.)

Watch: West Virginia Governor Says Goodbye To The Democratic Party

Justice was elected in November with 49 percent of the vote — 20 percentage points behind Trump's total in the presidential contest in the state. Trump won 77 percent of West Virginia's Republican primary voters in May.

Just 15 states will have Democratic governors with the announcement.

By BILL BARROW, Associated Press

Photo credit: Walter Scriptunas II, Associated Press