West Virginia GOP Gov. Jim Justice files to run for Manchin's Senate seat

West Virginia Republican Gov. Jim Justice filed the paperwork Thursday to run for Democratic Sen. Joe Manchin's seat in 2024. 

Justice's Federal Election Commission filing confirms months of rumors that he would run. 

A Democrat-turned-Republican, Justice left open the possibility of a Senate run starting last fall.

A Republican poll earlier this year found that Justice was the only potential candidate who could beat Manchin.

Justice will be joining U.S. Rep. Alex Mooney in the Republican primary for Senate.

Manchin's 2024 plans are still unclear. He told NBC News earlier this month that he would not make a decision about whether he plans on running for reelection or even for president until the end of this year.

There is some speculation that Manchin could launch a third-party challenge to President Joe Biden, and an adviser to major GOP funders recently told Just the News that Manchin has been involved in discussions with big-name donors.

Madeleine Hubbard is an international correspondent for Just the News. Follow her on Twitter or Instagram.