Donald Trump, Jr. called on West Virginia GOP primary voters to not support Don Blankenship for the party’s nomination in Tuesday’s election.
In a tweet, the eldest child of President Trump called on voters to make a “wise decision” and support either Rep. Evan Jenkins, R-W.V., or West Virginia Attorney General Patrick Morrisey to avoid a redux of Judge Roy Moore’s loss in December.
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!
No more fumbles like Alabama. We need to win in November. #wv #wvpol
— Donald Trump Jr. (@DonaldJTrumpJr) May 3, 2018
“I hate to lose,” Trump, Jr. wrote. “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!”
“No more fumbles like Alabama,” Trump, Jr. said. “We need to win in November.”
If the democrats are doing this they know he’s more beatable that the other options. Don’t fall for it West Virginia. Not worth the risk. #wv ##wvpol
Democratic PAC escalates spending to sway GOP primary against Evan Jenkins, for Don Blankenship https://t.co/g7bnH5rIhX.
— Donald Trump Jr. (@DonaldJTrumpJr) May 3, 2018
Trump, Jr. also pointed to spending by Democrats to boost Blankenship ahead of next Tuesday’s primary contest. Duty and Country PAC has spent more than $1.2 million attacking Jenkins and $47,000 against Morrisey, while spending nothing against Blankenship in the hopes of a match-up between him and Sen. Joe Manchin, D-W.V.
“If the democrats are doing this they know he’s more beatable that the other options. Don’t fall for it West Virginia. Not worth the risk,” he tweeted.
Blankenship, a multi-millionaire coal baron, recently was released from prison. The energy executive spent a year behind bars after he was convicted of conspiracy to violate mine safety standards stemming from the 2010 explosion at the Upper Big Branch Mine that killed 29 workers.
According to a Fox News poll released last week, Jenkins leads with 25 percent, while Morrisey earns 21 percent backing. Blankenship sits behind the pair with 16 percent ahead of the May 8 primary.
