Richard Ojeda, the Democrat running to represent West Virginia’s 3rd Congressional District, said Tuesday he would be open to working with the Trump administration if elected to Congress in November, striking a more conciliatory tone in comparison to before his primary contest.
“If you have a great idea, I’ll support your great idea. But if you don’t have a great idea, I won’t,” Ojeda said during an interview with Hill.TV’s “Rising.”
“Just because I support somebody doesn’t necessarily mean I’ll agree with them always. If they do not do something that’s correct, I have the right to make comment,” the Army veteran and state senator continued.
But Ojeda adopted a more pugnacious tone in March, saying he regretted voting for President Trump in 2016 because “he hasn’t done shit.”
“Donald Trump, Donald Trump, made everybody excited because he said shit nobody else has ever said. But the difference is, Donald Trump wins, and he ain’t done jack shit to help us,” Ojeda told Politico.
Ojeda’s latest comments, however, echo remarks made by Sen. Joe Manchin, D-W.Va., who told Politico earlier in June he would consider endorsing Trump in 2020. Manchin is fighting for re-election in a state the president won by 42 points.
“I’m open to supporting the person who I think is best for my country and my state. If his policies are best, I’ll be right there,” Manchin said.
Ojeda on Tuesday called on Democrats “to get back to basics” as they try to take back control of Congress.
“I believe in what the Democratic Party was supposed to be,” Ojeda told Hill.TV. “It was supposed to be about taking care of the working class citizens, taking care of our sick, taking care of our elderly, our veterans.”
“Has it always been that way? Has it kind of fallen from grace in the past? That’s probably why now every place in West Virginia is red. But I believe we have to get back to the basics. If we do that, I think we can get back on track,” he added.
Ojeda faces Republican incumbent Rep. Evan Jenkins on Nov. 6.
