CHARLESTON, W.Va. — Gov. Earl Ray Tomblin expressed disappointment Wednesday with state Senator Evan Jenkins’ decision to switch political parties from Democrat to Republican.
“Evan and I have been friends, we’ve worked together for many years on many important issues in the Senate,” Tomblin told reporters gathered outside the state capitol. “It’s sad, but we’ll continue to work for the good of West Virginia.”
Tomblin said a possible Jenkins match-up with longtime Democratic Third District Congressman Nick Rahall in next year’s election will be difficult for Jenkins.
“He’s (Rahall’s) had a lot of opponents over the years and the congressman has represented the Third District well and I think he will continue to represent it well,” Tomblin said.
Sen. Jenkins said Wednesday he no longer wanted to be a member of the party of President Barack Obama. Tomblin, himself cool on the Obama presidency, said he doesn’t believe the switch is a signal of trouble for West Virginia Democrats.
“I think it’s more of an individual thing,” the governor said. “We’ve watched this over the years that on occasion a member will switch parties. It’s an individual’s decision and Senator Jenkins made that choice.”