Republicans hope for Senate majority after strong West Virginia primary result

State’s governor, Jim Justice, clinched the Republican nomination and is expected to trounce Democratic opponent in election

Republicans’ chances of retaking the US Senate were boosted on Tuesday when the governor of West Virginia, Jim Justice, cruised to victory in that state’s primary, the highest-profile result on a night of such votes.

Justice is overwhelming favoured to beat his Democratic challenger, Glenn Elliott, and fill the US Senate seat now held by Joe Manchin, the only Democrat in statewide elected office.