West Virginia Governor Jim Justice's senate victory elevates him to national prominence. (Patrick T. Fallon/AFP/Getty Images) West Virginia Gov. Jim Justice won his state’s Senate race, flipping a crucial seat for the Republican party. Soon after voting ...

Republican Jim Justice has won West Virginia’s open U.S. Senate race, the AP projects, flipping a key Senate seat that was held by Joe Manchin for 14 years.

The seat was left largely uncontested by Democrats after Sen. Joe Manchin announced last year he would not seek reelection.