CHARLESTON, W.Va. — The anticipated November General Election match-up between West Virginia Third District Congressman Nick Rahall and Cabell County state Senator Evan Jenkins took a significant step Thursday with new political ads from both camps.
Rahall’s 30-second TV spot is a testimonial from United Mine Workers Union President Cecil Roberts.
“It makes me mad when billionaires are spending millions of dollars telling lies about Nick Rahall. Nick is our friend,” Roberts said. The union boss went on to tout Rahall’s voting working on coal-related issues.
Jenkins’ ad comes out swinging at the 19-term congressman.
“Nick Rahall’s attacks on Evan Jenkins—non-partisan fact checkers say they are bogus, out and out lies.”
The ad calls Jenkins “a better choice” saying he can defend West Virginia’s way of life from Obama’s war on coal.
The Jenkins ad calls Rahall “a lying politician just like Obama.”
The UMWA’s Roberts said big-money special interests want to pick their own congressman.
“Don’t let them do it. Stick with Nick,” Roberts said.
Rahall faces Logan County resident Richard Ojeda in the May Primary. Many political observers have placed the anticipated Rahall-Jenkins match-up one of the top congressional races in the country.