Sen. Joe Manchin of West Virginia is kicking himself. Manchin, who was previously a Democrat and is now an independent, decided not to run for re-election because he didn’t think he could win. However, the man he would have run against is unraveling before the state’s eyes.

Gov. Jim Justice is facing significant challenges, including an overwhelming debt burden that could cost him the Greenbrier, a luxury resort and crown jewel. He has until late October to come up with $40 million. However, this task seems impossible because his attorneys state in court filings that Justice is “broke.” The governor’s professional methods are legendary, a trait that caused Forbes to label him “The Deadbeat Billionaire.”

Regulators have been targeting his struggling coal businesses, issuing them environmental violations. Now, lenders are closing in — a complete rejection of the brand he used to get elected twice as governor. Furthermore, his candidacy for the Senate is now in doubt.

The Democratic nominee for the Senate, Glenn Elliott, asked, “How can you get the nation’s house in order when you can’t get your own house in order?” Elliott is a former mayor of Wheeling, W.Va.

Many others question Justice’s financial management, as he inherited millions but mishandled his businesses.

Using state incentives, the governor acquired the Greenbrier in 2009, where presidents and Congress have long vacationed and huddled. In 2014, JP Morgan Chase lent him $142 million, secured by the Greenbrier — an advance the governor has struggled to repay. In December 2023, the bank told Justice to pay up, or it would place him in default.

JP Morgan exhausted its possibilities, and in June, it sold the loan to Beltway Capital Management and McCormick 101, which planned to auction the Greenbrier in August. However, the bank is now giving Justice until late October.

Still, the governor is facing daunting issues: The Greenbrier’s properties owe $2.2 million in outstanding property taxes, while he is in arrears paying healthcare premiums, and his workers may lose coverage. If money is tight, Justice may consider selling his troubled coal assets.

Steve Allen Adams, who covers the West Virginia state government for Ogden Newspapers, said Justice lists 108 businesses on his financial disclosure forms. He’s stretched. “His other companies may not be profitable,” Adams said. “If Justice pays the Greenbrier loan, he stiffs someone else.”

Justice points the finger at Democrats, accusing them of doing anything to keep control of the Senate — an outrageous claim, considering he could resolve this by paying what he owes. Unpaid vendors have been voicing grievances about Justice’s business practices for years.

And now, the veil is coming off. The health insurer said the Greenbrier is $2.4 million behind, and an additional $1.2 million is due. Meantime, the resort owes $3.5 million in unpaid state sales taxes.

Justice sold his coal mines to Russians for almost $600 million in 2011. Five years later, he repurchased them for only $5 million. In 2007, coal made up half of the nation’s electric generation portfolio; today, it is 19 percent. It’s a hard time to be in that business.

Manchin has long straddled the fence, but he voted for the infrastructure law and the Inflation Reduction Act that have helped West Virginia. The laws have attracted Berkshire Hathaway, NuCorp, and Form Energy, creating job opportunities for residents. However, Republicans have criticized him for being a big spender and a supporter of President Biden, which is particularly challenging in a predominantly conservative state.

Manchin chose not to run and had considered tossing his hat in the presidential ring. It must be killing him that he didn’t run for his seat. Now, it’s up for grabs. If Justice loses the resort, his brand will be shattered, and his facade will crack — putting his bid to the Senate at risk.