CHARLESTON, W.Va. — Former Massey Energy CEO Don Blankenship said Friday on MetroNews “Talkline” recent tweets by Donald Trump Jr. don’t bother him.
“The Trump family will be with me in November, there’s no question about that. They’re just feeling the pressure that’s coming from (Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell) McConnell and others. We’ll see what happens but I’m confident we’ll win both elections,” Blankenship said.
Ha, now I’m establishment? No, I’m realistic & I know the first thing Manchin will do is run ads featuring the families of those 29 miners killed due to actions that sent you to prison. Can’t win the general… you should know that & if others in the GOP won’t say it, I will. https://t.co/3dBmoVrMF1
— Donald Trump Jr. (@DonaldJTrumpJr) May 3, 2018
Trump Jr. called Blankenship a “train wreck” as a candidate in one tweet. In another, he asked voters to reject Blankenship and added “No more fumbles like Alabama. We need to win in November.”
Blankenship said Trump Jr. is a victim of fake news.
Trump Jr. didn’t say if he favored Third District Congressman Evan Jenkins or state Attorney General Patrick Morrisey in the primary against Blankenship. He did tweet they are ” two qualified, conservative and ELECTABLE candidates.”
Jenkins was also a guest on “Talkline” Friday. He cited new employment numbers out Friday that show a 3.9 percent unemployment rate, the lowest since 2000. Jenkins credited President Donald Trump.
“I am focused on results. I’m focused on the policy. I’m focused on getting people back to work. Elections matter. Donald Trump is our president and he’s done a good job,” Jenkins said.
When questioned about Trump-Stormy Davis controversy, Jenkins said he’s aware of it but was trying to keep his “eye on the ball.”
“These distractions are exactly what the Democrats want to have happen,” Jenkins said.
He said a Democratic-backed political action committee has now spent nearly $2 million in attack ads against him.
“These are Democrats meddling in the Republican Primary,” Jenkins said.
Morrisey is scheduled to be a guest on “Talkline” Monday.