Trump won West Virginia in 2016 by over 40 points. The state’s Democrat Senator Joe Manchin is seen as vulnerable and three Republicans are competing for the chance to run against him this fall.
Peter Doocy reports at FOX News:
3 Republicans in West Virginia battle to oust vulnerable Democratic SenatorThe race to replace one of the most vulnerable Democratic senators in the country has been upended by a primary candidate – with a probation officer.This time last year, Don Blankenship was close to completing a yearlong prison sentence following a misdemeanor conviction for conspiring to violate federal mine safety standards. Blankenship was the CEO of the Massey Energy Company when an explosion at the Upper Big Branch Mine killed 29 miners.Now, he’s jumped into a race with West Virginia Attorney General Patrick Morrisey and Congressman Evan Jenkins, R-W.V., to replace incumbent Sen. Joe Manchin, D-W.V., in a state President Trump carried by 42 points in 2016…Before the polarizing Blankenship entered the fray, this primary contest was already contentious.Morrisey, the state’s attorney general, has tried to remind voters that Jenkins used to be a registered Democrat.“I think Evan Jenkins is a liberal,” Morrisey said.Jenkins defends against that charge, and explains that he left the Democratic Party because the platform veered too far to the left.
FOX covered this during Special Report last night:
As mentioned in the video, Trump is planning to visit West Virginia later this week.
Alex Thomas reports at West Virginia Metro News:
Trump to visit West Virginia on ThursdayPresident Donald Trump is scheduled to visit West Virginia on Thursday for an expected roundtable event in Greenbrier County.The visit will mark Trump’s fourth visit to West Virginia since taking office in January 2017; he spoke at the 2017 Boy Scout National Jamboree in July, held a campaign-style rally in Huntington in August and spoke at the congressional Republican retreat in February.U.S. Rep. Evan Jenkins, R-W.Va., said in a press release Monday evening he was invited to join the president. The 3rd Congressional District, which Jenkins represents, includes Greenbrier County.“It’s an honor to be able to welcome President Trump back to West Virginia and the Third Congressional District. President Trump’s visit will highlight his work to create jobs and opportunities for West Virginians and all Americans, and I’m proud to work to advance his policies in Congress. President Trump is always welcome in West Virginia,” he said in a press release.
Assuming this primary doesn’t turn into another Roy Moore style fiasco, this race should be a fairly easy pick-up for the GOP this fall.
Featured image via YouTube.
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