West Virginia Governor Jim Justice’s English bulldog, Babydog, has been immortalized in a new mural adorning the state Capitol.
This inclusion, nestled among depictions of Abraham Lincoln, Civil War soldiers, and Appalachian cultural icons, has sparked both amusement and controversy.
The mural, part of a series commissioned to complete Cass Gilbert’s original vision for the Capitol’s interior, features Babydog alongside traditional West Virginia imagery such as banjo players and the iconic Seneca Rocks. This artistic choice reflects the growing cultural significance of Babydog, who has become a minor celebrity during Justice’s tenure as governor.
Justice, a Republican now vying for a U.S. Senate seat, has strategically incorporated Babydog into his political campaign. The dog’s prominence began with the “Do it for Babydog” COVID-19 vaccination campaign and reached a crescendo during a 2022 State of the State address, where Justice used Babydog to rebuke criticism from actress Bette Midler.
The governor claims ignorance regarding Babydog’s inclusion in the mural, attributing the decision to a committee led by Randall Reid-Smith, Secretary of the Department of Arts, Culture and History. Reid-Smith humorously suggested that the depicted dog might be Babydog’s “20th grandma,” attempting to distance the artwork from direct political ties.
This artistic decision has not been without its critics. Glenn Elliott, Justice’s Democratic opponent in the upcoming Senate race, has accused the governor of self-aggrandizement at the expense of historye. Justice dismissed this criticism.
The mural project, costing nearly $350,000 in state funds, aims to complete Gilbert’s original design for the Capitol’s interior. Notably, the committee made post-design additions to address historical representation, including depictions of African Americans and significant abolitionist landmarks.
As West Virginia approaches a pivotal election, the presence of Babydog in the Capitol’s murals serves as a unique focal point for discussions about political legacy and the evolving West Virginian state identity.