CHARLESTON, W.Va. — The West Virginia Democratic Party will host its annual Roosevelt-Kennedy Dinner Friday at the Charleston Civic Center, with U.S. Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer, D-N.Y., serving as the event’s keynote speaker.
The party first announced Schumer’s appearance in an Oct. 4 press release.
“The Senator has always been a stalwart champion for America’s working families and that’s why West Virginia Democrats are so excited to see him speak,” state party chair Belinda Biafore said at the time. “The 2017 Roosevelt-Kennedy Dinner will be a celebration of our party’s commitment to expanding opportunity for all West Virginians.”
Sen. Joe Manchin, D-W.Va., and other Democratic leaders are also expected to be at the dinner.
Schumer’s appearance will be met by members of the West Virginia Republican Party, who will be hosting “Joe Manchin’s Retirement Party” outside of the Civic Center. Manchin is running for re-election for the position he has been serving since November 2010.
Republican senate candidates Rep. Evan Jenkins, West Virginia Attorney General Patrick Morrisey and former coal miner Bo Copley will be at the Republican gathering to offer what a party flier described as “tributes” to Manchin.