Sen. Jim Justice says he expects to decide within weeks whether to seek a return to the West Virginia governor’s mansion, potentially setting up a Republican primary contest against Gov. Patrick Morrisey in 2028.

Justice told the Washington Examiner Monday that he plans to make a decision “in very short order” and said he does not want to prolong speculation about his political future. The 75-year-old Republican served two terms as governor before winning election to the Senate in 2024 and taking office in January 2025.

Justice has been increasingly open about the possibility of returning to the governor’s office. During a Sept. 3 appearance on MetroNews’ “Talkline,” he said he was “100 percent” considering a 2028 campaign and pointed to his record as governor, including state budget surpluses and economic-development efforts. He said he is concerned about whether West Virginia is maintaining the momentum he believes his administration created.

Justice stopped short of directly criticizing Morrisey, saying he would not describe the current governor as doing a poor job. He did, however, say some West Virginians were “probably not as happy as I think they ought to be” and argued that he does not want to see the state “back up.”

Morrisey, who became governor in January 2025 after serving as West Virginia attorney general, has emphasized economic development during his first term. His administration announced a planned $12 billion Starwood Digital Ventures data center project in Mason County on Sept. 3, while also announcing additional investment projects. Morrisey's office said projected private-sector investment since October 2025 had reached approximately $96 billion.

Justice and Morrisey have already clashed publicly. The two Republicans exchanged criticism on social media in August amid speculation about a potential primary contest, including a dispute involving Justice’s longtime ownership of The Greenbrier resort.

Justice was first elected governor in 2016 as a Democrat before switching to the Republican Party in 2017. He won reelection as a Republican in 2020 and left the governor’s office after two terms to run for the Senate. West Virginia's Constitution prohibits governors from serving three consecutive terms but allows a former governor to return after an intervening term, meaning Justice could legally seek the office again in 2028. If he were elected, he would have to leave his Senate seat, which currently runs through 2030.

Justice said he plans to speak with Senate Majority Leader John Thune about his decision but indicated that the conversation would come after he has determined whether he intends to pursue another gubernatorial campaign. For now, Justice has not announced a candidacy and says a decision is coming soon.