WASHINGTON, D.C. (LOOTPRESS) – West Virginia U.S. Sen. Jim Justice celebrated the upcoming seventh birthday of his well-known English bulldog, Babydog, with an early birthday party on Capitol Hill Wednesday.
The event, advertised as “Babydog’s 7th Birthday Rodeo,” was held near Justice’s office in the Hart Senate Office Building in Washington. Babydog arrived in a small covered wagon while wearing a cowboy hat and red bandana. Hundreds of Capitol Hill staffers reportedly lined up for photos with her.
Babydog’s birthday is still several weeks away. Justice said the celebration was held early because Congress will not be in session when she turns 7 in October.
“Babydog’s birthday isn’t for a few more weeks, but we had to celebrate a little early with our friends on the Hill,” Justice said in a social media post. “She sure does have a lot of folks who love her, and Cathy and I are grateful for every one of them.”
Justice told TMZ that Babydog received chicken nuggets for the occasion and joked that the dog has “1,000 times” more notoriety than he does.
Babydog became a familiar figure to West Virginians during Justice’s two terms as governor from 2017 through 2024. She regularly appeared alongside Justice at news conferences and events across the state before accompanying him to Washington following his election to the U.S. Senate.
Her national profile grew during Justice’s time as governor, including an appearance during his 2022 State of the State address and another onstage at the 2024 Republican National Convention.
Since Justice joined the Senate in January 2025, Babydog has continued to make appearances with the former West Virginia governor in Washington.
Justice currently represents West Virginia in the U.S. Senate alongside Sen. Shelley Moore Capito.
