Republican West Virginia Rep. Alex Mooney announced Tuesday that he will run for Democratic West Virginia Sen. Joe Manchin’s Senate seat in 2024.
“I’m announcing right now that I am officially running for the United States Senate for the seat that’s open in two years that Joe Manchin currently is in and I’m all in,” Mooney said during a radio interview on West Virginia MetroNews’ “Talkline.”
“Republicans need to take the West Virginia seat in two years for the sake of this country,” Mooney continued.
“I think he’s a liberal Democrat and West Virginia doesn’t deserve that anymore and it has to be changed,” he added. (RELATED: Sen. Joe Manchin Wades Into House GOP Primary With Major Endorsement Against Trump-Backed Candidate)
House Minority Leader Rep. Kevin McCarthy (R-CA) (2nd L) arrives with Rep. Alex Mooney (R-WV) (R) at his weekly news conference outside the U.S. Capitol May 20, 2021 in Washington, DC. McCarthy recognized Cuban Independence Day during the news conference. (Photo by Alex Wong/Getty Images)
Mooney has been serving in the House since 2015. Former President Donald Trump endorsed Mooney last November for his 5th term, while his Democrat opponent received endorsements from Manchin and Republican Gov. Jim Justice in the last weeks of the race. (RELATED: Trump-Backed West Virginia Rep. Alex Mooney Wins Nasty Member-Versus-Member Primary)
“A robust democratic process has never been more important to our country and Senator Manchin encourages every candidate who values public service to enter the race,” Manchin’s office told the Daily Caller.