Jim Justice soars past Joe Manchin in West Virginia Senate race: poll

West Virginia Republican Gov. Jim Justice stands well ahead of Sen. Joe Manchin, D-W.Va., in the race to represent the state in the U.S. Senate, according to a recent survey.

The governor outpaced the incumbent senator 13% in the latest Emerson College survey, with 41% of voters backing Justice and 28% supporting Manchin. The Democratic senator has not announced his reelection plans.

Justice, meanwhile, faces a primary challenger in the form of Rep. Alex Mooney, R-W.Va., whom Manchin beat 37% to 31% in a head to head matchup. Explaining Manchin's stronger performance against Mooney seem to be split attitudes among independents on the Republican candidates.

"[I]ndependents are breaking for Justice, 43% to 18%; however, in the matchup with Mooney, independents are split 32% to 32%," said Emerson College Polling Executive Director Spencer Kimball.

The governor currently enjoys 40% job approval while 26% disapprove of him.

Conducted Oct. 1-4, the survey questioned 539 West Virginia voters and has a credibility interval of +/- 4.2%.

Ben Whedon is an editor and reporter for Just the News. Follow him on X, formerly Twitter.