West Virginia Democratic senator Joe Manchin appeared in a campaign ad for congressman Rep. David McKinley (R-W.Va.) who is facing a primary challenge from Trump-endorsed candidate Rep. Alex Mooney.
“I’ve always said if I can’t go home and explain it, I can’t vote for it. And that’s why I opposed Build Back Better. For Alex Mooney and his out-of-state supporters to suggest David McKinley supported Build Back Better is an outright lie,” Manchin said in the ad. “David McKinley has always opposed reckless spending because it doesn’t make sense for West Virginia. Alex Mooney has proven he’s all about Alex Mooney. But West Virginians know David McKinley is all about us.”
McKinley and Mooney are seeking to represent West Virginia’s 2nd Congressional District under a new map after the state lost a seat in redistricting following the 2020 census.
Trump endorsed Mooney last year after he voted against the bipartisan infrastructure deal. McKinley supported the legislation.
Manchin’s spokesperson Sam Runyon told CNN that the “ad speaks for itself,” when asked if the senator was endorsing McKinley.
Mooney responded to the ad, saying in a tweet, “Further proof David McKinley is a complete and total RINO. Democrat Joe Manchin is endorsing him.”
The Republican primary is set for May 10. The winning candidate will likely win the general election as the new district covers the northern part of the state where Trump won by 37 points in 2020, according to CNN.
Endorsing Republicans is not unusual for Manchin. He supported Maine Sen. Susan Collins’ re-election in 2020 over Democrat Sara Gideon and has endorsed Alaska GOP Sen. Lisa Murkowski’s re-election.
