Chairman Walden’s Statement on West Virginia State Senator Evan Jenkins

Democrat Switches to the Republican Party and Announces Campaign against Nick Rahall (WV-03)

National Republican Congressional Committee Chairman Greg Walden (R-OR) released the following statement today after West Virginia State Senator Evan Jenkins announced that he has joined the Republican Party and will challenge Congressman Nick Rahall in West Virginia’s 3rd Congressional District:

“Evan Jenkins’ decision to join the Republican Party and run for Congress in West Virginia’s 3rd Congressional District is proof positive that West Virginians are prepared to fight back against President Obama’s War on Coal and Congressman Nick Rahall’s out-of-touch support for the anti-coal, ‘Progressive Budget.’”

“On behalf of myself and the National Republican Congressional Committee, I welcome Evan to the Republican Party and am excited that voters in West Virginia now have a candidate for Congress who reflects their hopes and values, as well as their frustrations with how the Washington D.C. Democratic establishment is committed to leaving West Virginia behind.”