West Virginia Democrat Sen. Joe Manchin has waded into a GOP primary battle in his state between two House incumbents, taking the side of Rep. David McKinley in a video ad against Trump-endorsed Rep. Alex Mooney.
Manchin’s ad specifically attacks Mooney for claiming that McKinley’s support for a $1.2 trillion spending package President Joe Biden signed into law in November was essentially backing for a $3.5 trillion package -- and the second of two proposed measures -- that essentially remains unresolved because of Manchin’s opposition.
"For Alex Mooney and his out-of-state supporters to suggest David McKinley supported Build Back Better is an outright lie," Manchin says in the ad.
McKinley voted for Biden’s omnibus $1.2 trillion spending package but joined Mooney in voting against the larger bill ultimately derailed by Manchin’s opposition in the Senate.
Mooney’s office did not immediately respond to a request for comment via email.
Redistricting has forced McKinley, who currently represents West Virginia’s 1st Congressional District, into a head-to-head confrontation with Mooney for his 2nd Congressional District seat.
The senator speaks in a 30-second McKinley video ad and slams Mooney for suggesting that his opponent fueled Build Back Better by supporting last year's $1.2 trillion bill, referred to by its proponents as the “Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act.”
West Virginians will go to the polls May 10 to decide who will run in November's general election.
Mooney has described the $1.2 trillion measure as "a bill no conservative would support."
McKinley and Mooney also have spared over a vote for the creation of a commission to investigate the events of Jan. 6, 2021, at the U.S. Capitol. McKinley voted for the measure as part of the House vote, which the Senate did not, while Mooney was against.
"Congressman Alex Mooney is a conservative warrior running in West Virginia's 2nd Congressional District. His opponent is a RINO who supported the 'Unfrastucture Bill' and the Sham January 6 Unselect Committee," Trump said in a statement.
"Alex fights for our Veterans, for Energy and Clean Coal, Election Integrity, our Borders, Jobs, and against the horrible drug epidemic. On May 10th, Vote for Alex Mooney, who has my Complete and Total Endorsement. I love West Virginia!"
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