Sen. Jim Justice (R-WV) was sworn into the Senate on Tuesday, bringing Republicans one step closer to a 53-seat majority in the upper chamber. Justice took the oath of office one day after he finished his second term as West Virginia governor and six days before President-elect Donald Trump is inaugurated for a second term

Former West Virginia Gov. Jim Justice officially became a U.S. senator Tuesday afternoon. Justice took the oath of office on the Senate floor Tuesday with fellow West Virginia Sen. Shelley Moore Capito by his side holding the Bible.

West Virginia has been a conservative stronghold for over a decade, but it could see a shift even further to the right on social policies as one GOP governor replaces another.

One day after turning the keys to the Governor’s Mansion over to Patrick Morrisey, Jim Justice was sworn in to begin his six-year term in the U.S. Senate Tuesday. Justice took his oath of office Tuesday afternoon in the U.