In a surprising turn of events, West Virginia Representative Alex Mooney is refusing to bow out of the Senate race, despite the Republican establishment’s strong backing of Governor Jim Justice. The National Republican Senatorial Committee (NRSC) has thrown its support behind Justice, leaving Mooney feeling left out and determined to continue his bid for the Senate seat.
Mooney, a prominent member of the Freedom Caucus, has been eyeing the Senate race for some time. He announced his campaign last fall, hoping to challenge Democratic Senator Joe Manchin, who has held the seat since 2010. With strong conservative credentials and a record of advocating for Republican values, Mooney believed he would be the ideal candidate for the party to take on Manchin in the deeply conservative state of West Virginia.
However, top Senate Republicans, including Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell, quickly started wooing Governor Jim Justice to run for the Senate seat. Justice, a wealthy coal magnate and popular governor, initially ran as a Democrat in 2016 before switching parties and winning as a Republican. The GOP leadership and the NRSC saw Justice as the best chance to defeat Manchin, who has managed to hold onto his seat in a state that has become increasingly red in recent years.
As Justice garnered endorsements from party leaders and high-profile fundraisers, Mooney felt sidelined and overlooked. He had hoped to be the NRSC-backed candidate, receiving the full weight of the party’s support in his bid for the Senate seat. Instead, the NRSC threw its weight behind Justice, hosting fundraisers and events for the governor, leaving Mooney feeling disappointed and excluded from the party’s inner circle.
Despite the lack of party establishment support, Mooney remains determined to press on with his campaign. He received financial backing from the conservative Club for Growth, giving him an edge over potential primary opponents. Additionally, influential conservative senators, including Mike Lee of Utah, Ted Cruz of Texas, and Rand Paul of Kentucky, have thrown their support behind Mooney’s candidacy.
In contrast to another Freedom Caucus member, Representative Matt Rosendale of Montana, Mooney is not resorting to scorched-earth tactics in his campaign. While Rosendale is attacking NRSC-backed candidate Tim Sheehy as a McConnell lackey, Mooney remains open to supporting McConnell as the Senate GOP leader and has nothing against him. He even revealed that he and NRSC Chair Steve Daines (R-Mont.) met separately and got along fine before Daines backed Justice.
Mooney’s ideological stance aligns him closely with the tea party movement, advocating for the repeal of Obamacare and championing conservative values. He believes that Justice’s more moderate positions could disappoint the state’s voters, drawing comparisons to the late Senator John McCain’s famous thumbs-down vote against repealing Democrats’ signature healthcare law.
The primary race between Mooney and Justice is shaping up to be a contentious battle within the Republican Party. Mooney is adamant that he will be on the ballot for the state’s GOP primary on May 14, signaling that he has no intention of stepping aside to make way for Justice.
For the Republican Party, winning back Manchin’s Senate seat is crucial in their efforts to regain control of the Senate in the upcoming elections. West Virginia is a deeply conservative state that heavily supported former President Donald Trump, making it a top priority for Republicans. If Mooney gains traction and support from conservative groups and voters, the GOP could face a dilemma in allocating resources to a race that party leaders had initially seen as a cakewalk with Justice as the nominee.
On the other hand, the NRSC and GOP leaders are hoping that Justice’s popularity in the state will carry him to victory against Manchin in the general election. Polls have shown Justice with a significant lead over both Mooney and Manchin, raising confidence within the party’s leadership.
Meanwhile, Democrats, are closely watching the Republican primary, hoping that Mooney’s rise could potentially give Manchin a better shot at re-election. While Justice’s vulnerabilities, including his opaque wealth and legal issues related to his coal empire, may be exploited by Democrats in the general election, they believe that Manchin has a stronger chance if Mooney becomes a formidable opponent.
Despite the pressure from party leaders and insiders, Mooney remains resolute, determined to secure the nomination and ultimately face Senator Manchin in what is likely to be a fiercely contested race. For now, Republicans remain divided as they navigate the primary race and assess their chances of reclaiming Manchin’s Senate seat.
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