Rand Paul questions GOP recruit’s ability to serve due to health issues.

Rand Paul questions GOP recruit's ability to serve due to health issues.

Republican Sen. Rand Paul of Kentucky has raised concerns about the health of his party’s top Senate candidate in West Virginia, Gov. Jim Justice. In an interview with POLITICO, Paul expressed doubts about Justice’s ability to serve given his “lot of health issues.”

Justice, who has served as governor since 2017, was recruited by Republican leaders to run for Senate in 2024. He launched his campaign earlier this year, but first he will have to defeat Rep. Alex Mooney in the GOP primary. Incumbent Democratic Sen. Joe Manchin has not yet announced whether he will seek re-election.

The concerns over Justice’s health are not unfounded. The 72-year-old governor has documented mobility issues due to his weight and height. He recently underwent gallbladder surgery and sought treatment in Maryland for an unknown viral illness in 2017. Furthermore, he had to postpone his State of the State address in 2022 due to a serious case of COVID-19.

“The governor has got a lot of health issues and is not very mobile,” said Sen. Paul, who is endorsing Mooney in the primary. “There’s a question of how he’ll be able to serve given his health.” In fact, in 2018, Justice had to issue an official press release to dispel false rumors about his health.

The concern expressed by Sen. Paul comes at a time when the Senate as a whole is facing a series of health-related issues among its members. Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell experienced a momentary freeze and reported feeling “light headed” in front of reporters. It was later revealed that McConnell has had multiple falls this year and suffered a concussion in March, which kept him away from the Senate for several weeks.

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Democratic Sen. Dianne Feinstein of California, the oldest lawmaker on Capitol Hill at age 90, has also faced health challenges. She had been absent for months due to a shingles infection and has had moments of confusion upon her return. Recently, it was revealed that her daughter exercises “power of attorney” over her legal affairs, indicating her reliance on assistance for decision-making.

Similarly, Democratic Sen. John Fetterman of Pennsylvania, who suffered a stroke last year during his campaign, had to take a leave of absence earlier this year due to severe depression. While he has now recovered, he continues to utilize assistive technology to help him fulfill his duties as a senator.

The cumulative health issues among senators demonstrate the importance of considering the physical well-being of those seeking public office. It raises questions about the ability of elected officials to serve effectively and fulfill their responsibilities when facing significant health challenges.

As the campaign for the Senate seat in West Virginia progresses, it will be essential for voters to carefully evaluate the candidates’ health and their ability to effectively represent their constituents. The concerns raised by Sen. Paul regarding Gov. Justice’s health remind us of the vital role that physical well-being plays in political leadership and decision-making.

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• Jim Justice
• Rand Paul