West Virginia Gov. Jim Justice brought his favorite accessory to the Republican National Convention in Milwaukee on Tuesday night: his clairvoyant bulldog Babydog.
Justice is vying for the Senate seat currently held by Democratic Sen. Joe Manchin, who is retiring and is likely to cede it to the Republican Party in the fall.
During Justice’s years in the governor’s mansion, the chubby English bulldog has been a constant companion, filling the role of Punxsutawney Phil and the Mountain State’s sports prognosticator.
Justice told the crowd he had some thoughts on the November election during the dog’s appearance Tuesday night.
“Babydog has a prediction for everyone here,” Justice said. “Babydog says we’re going to hold the majority in the House, we’re going to flip the United States Senate, and we’re going to elect Donald J. Trump and J.D. Vance in November by a landslide.”
Babydog, the bulldog of West Virginia Gov. Jim Justice, who is running for U.S. Senate, made a surprise appearance Tuesday night at the Republican National Convention.
Governor Jim Justice (right) sat down during his convention speech and a trainer left Babydog at his side.
Babydog, who plays a sports and weather forecaster a la Punxsutawney Phil in West Virginia, makes a surprise appearance Tuesday night at the Republican National Convention.
Justice was chosen to speak on the second day of the Republican National Convention during a portion of the program in which all of the Republican Party’s Senate candidates gave speeches.
He stood out for being seated.
Justice walked out onto the stage and sat in a chair behind the podium, while an empty chair remained on the stage next to him.
At the beginning of his speech, Justice spoke of the greatness of West Virginia.
“We want you to come try us out someday,” Justice said.
Then he got down to work.
“Now with all that said, I know a lot of you want to meet my little friend,” he said. “Now, if Babydog can come over here.”
Babydog takes the stage at the Republican National Convention on Tuesday. She was then seated in a chair during Gov. Jim Justice’s speech.
Justice said Babydog predicted the Senate would move to Republican control, the House would remain under GOP control and the White House would be won by former President Donald Trump and his new running mate, Ohio Sen. JD Vance.
Gov. Jim Justice said of Babydog: “He makes you smile and he loves everybody. How could the message be simpler?”
West Virginia Gov. Jim Justice walks offstage followed by Babydog Tuesday night at the Republican National Convention in Milwaukee
A caretaker picked up the bulldog and dropped him onto the couch.
“Now that the world is watching, you really didn’t expect that?” Justice asked the crowd.
They shouted and cheered.
“He makes you smile and he loves everyone,” he enthused. “How could the message be simpler?”
While the GOP attempted to push the theme of “unity” Tuesday night, Justice himself predicted discord if the party’s nominee was unsuccessful.
“We would go absolutely crazy if Donald Trump is not elected in November,” said the Senate candidate.