Politics

Donald Trump Jr. Weighs In On GOP West Virginia Primary: ‘Reject Blankenship’

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Henry Rodgers Chief National Correspondent
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Donald Trump Jr. weighed in on the West Virginia GOP primary election in a tweet Thursday, warning voters not to vote for Republican candidate Don Blankenship.

“I hate to lose. So I’m gonna go out on a limb here and ask the people of West Virginia to make a wise decision and reject Blankenship!” Trump Jr. tweeted. “No more fumbles like Alabama. We need to win in November.”

The primary, which will take place between Blankenship, state Rep. Evan Jenkins and West Virginia Attorney General Patrick James Morrisey, has continued to pick up national attention as the three Republicans are fighting for a chance to take on Democratic Sen. Joe Manchin in the general election.

Blankenship, the former CEO of Massey Energy, was convicted in 2015 of going around safety regulations that led to the Upper Branch mine disaster in 2010 that killed 29 coal miners. Blankenship was sentenced to serve one year in prison, and after he was released announced he would challenge Manchin for U.S. Senate.

Trump Jr. mentioned the Alabama special election, which took place in January, in his tweet, where both his father and the RNC  endorsed controversial candidate Roy Moore, who ended up losing to Democratic candidate Doug Jones.

President Donald Trump has yet to endorse a candidate in the race, but Trump Jr.’s comments toward Blankenship makes it likely his father will not endorse him.

The Republican primary will take place on May 8.

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