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Joe Manchin has been and always will be a proud West Virginia Democrat, said Jonathan Kott, Mr. Manchins communications director.

In his first months as governor, Mr. Justice, a colorful and hulking figure who stands over six feet, seven inches, drew headlines beyond West Virginias border for bringing a plate of cow excrement into the state capitol to express his anger at a Republican-passed budget proposal.

What we have is nothing more than bunch of political bull you-know-what, Mr. Justice said, pulling the lid off a silver platter to reveal the scented prop atop a printed copy of the budget.

But the governor, who found his fortune with coal and now owns The Greenbrier resort, has also been dogged by some of the same financial issues that Republicans sought to use against him in last years campaign. The state tax department has filed four liens this year against of one of Mr. Justices companies, Tams Management Inc., citing nearly $1 million in unpaid taxes, interest and penalties related to his coal mines.

In West Virginia, Representative Evan Jenkins, one of the Republicans seeking Mr. Manchins Senate seat, said he would welcome the governor to his party.

I simply couldnt be a part of a liberal agenda that was so contrary to who we are and what we believe in West Virginia, said Mr. Jenkins, who switched parties several years ago.

Shaking hands with constituents at a meet-and-greet at a hotel next to the stadium where Mr. Trump is scheduled to speak, Mr. Jenkins said he would understand if Mr. Justice felt the same way.

If Jim Justice is the next to change his party registration to Republican, I welcome him to the Republican party, he said.

Chris Goertler, a retired consultant from Williamstown, W.V., who was at the stadium to see Mr. Trump, said that he used to be a Republican but is now nonaffiliated. Told of Mr. Justices expected announcement, Mr. Goertler shrugged and said: I could never be a Democrat myself.

Russell Lucas, an electrician from Kenova, W.V., who was also in line waiting to see Mr. Trump, said he would welcome Mr. Justice to the Republican Party, but added that he supported him even though he was a Democrat.

Doesnt matter to me, he said. Hes done a lot for this state already. Hes a mine owner, and I know guys that work in the mines, and all of them like him. They said hes for the people.

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West Virginia Governor to Switch from Democrat to Republican - New York Times