HUNTINGTON, W.Va. — West Virginia Third District Congressman Evan Jenkins announced his candidacy for U.S. Senate in a YouTube video Monday afternoon.
Jenkins takes aim at U.S. Senator Joe Manchin in the 2:55 video.
“Joe changed when he got to Washington. West Virginia values? Not anymore,” Jenkins says in the video.
The video includes several images of former President Barack Obama, one in a photo with Manchin. There are also various Manchin sound bites giving his support to Obama and Hillary Clinton. The video also focuses a few seconds on a recent social media photo of Manchin standing with a woman holding a sign in support of Planned Parenthood.
“Say one thing to get elected, do another in D.C.…Standing with Planned Parenthood to give billions of our tax dollars to abortion providers. Somewhere along the way, Joe became one of them,” Jenkins says in the video.
During a May 1 appearance on “Talkline” Manchin explained the Planned Parenthood photo.
“A picture doesn’t change your position. I’ve never refused anybody to take a picture. On Planned Parenthood, not one penny of federal money can go to abortions. I always will be pro-life. I’ve never changed,” Manchin said, adding, “I can’t turn my back on women going for health care.”
Jenkins also uses President Donald Trump in his video.
Jenkins is in his second two-year term in the U.S. House. He voted for the bill last week that would replace Obamacare. He said on MetroNews “Talkline” last Friday the vote was a “tough call.”
“I took literally hundreds of phone calls indicating either for it or against it and met with many groups. The issues of affordability of care, access to care, quality of care are in my wheelhouse and things I am really concerned about,” Jenkins said.
The 2018 Republican Primary may be a busy one in the Senate race. It’s believed state Attorney General Patrick Morrisey is seriously considering a run while former coal miner Bo Copley of Mingo County announced his candidacy last week.
A super PAC supporting a possible Morrisey bid, 35th PAC, released a statement shortly after the video connecting Jenkins to Manchin, as Jenkins was a registered Democrat until July 2013.
“West Virginians need a clear contrast and a real choice in this campaign” super PAC adviser Leonardo Alcivar told Politico. “They don’t need Joe Manchin running against his campaign donor. That’s why we are hopeful Attorney General Patrick Morrissey will enter this race with his strong and clear conservative record and vision.”
According to the 35th PAC’s website, Jenkins contributed $1,000 to Manchin in 2008 and also hosted a $6,000 fundraiser.
Jenkins’ campaign responded to Politico by pointing out an article published Monday by the Charleston Gazette-Mail, noting how Planned Parenthood gave around $500,000 to a lobbying firm in which Morrisey’s wife has an ownership stake.
A release from the Jenkins campaign said the congressman ended the first quarter with more than $1 million in his campaign fund.