WASHINGTON—West Virginia Republican Rep. Evan Jenkins announced his candidacy against incumbent West Virginia Democratic Sen. Joe Manchin Monday.
Jenkins launched his campaign through a video that opens in a West Virginia country field and jumps to state highway where a pickup truck drives into a small neighborhood.
An old campaign video of Manchin’s is seen and heard playing over one of the country scenes with Manchin saying, “I’m Joe Manchin. I approve this message, because I always defend West Virginia.”
Jenkins’ voice is then heard saying, “But Joe changed when he got to Washington. West Virginia values—not anymore. As your senator, I’ll protect your Second Amendment rights. Joe Manchin broke that promise violating that promise and pushing gun control with Barack Obama and the New York liberals. That’s why the NRA endorsed me.”
Clips of Manchin’s tough talking campaign videos where he says he will take on the Obama White House are contrasted with him chuckling about losing his “A” rating with the National Rifle Association and his close relationship with Michael Bloomberg.
“Say one thing to get elected, do another in DC. Standing with Planned Parenthood to give billions of our tax dollars to abortion providers. Somewhere along the way, Joe became one of them.”
Jenkins goes on to accuse Manchin of being complicit of Democrats’ disrespecting and ignoring the Mountain state for the past eight years.
Jenkins talks about his strong support of President Donald Trump and the administration saying, “We can’t let liberal New York millionaires buy this race or the Senate but if we do this together there is no way we can lose.”
West Virginia is a state Donald Trump won by around 68 percent of the vote. The president has already signed a bill that is coal industry-friendly, undoing past regulations of the previous administration.
Manchin raised around $552,600 in the first three months of 2017, according to figures provided by his campaign to Politico. Last month Manchin reported $2.17 million cash on hand.
Jenkins raised $367,000 in the first quarter and has $1.035 million cash on hand.