Some Republicans are courting Sen. Joe Manchin (D-WV) to run for governor against West Virginia Republican Attorney General Patrick Morrisey.
According to sources close to Manchin, speaking with MetroNews, at least 20 wealthy Republicans have reached out to Manchin to urge him to run against Morrisey, who won the state’s primary last week. As indicated by quick denunciations from the West Virginia Republican Party, they are working independently of the state party.
“The WVGOP is united squarely behind Patrick Morrisey for Governor. West Virginians are excited to continue our Republican victory streak by electing him as our conservative voice in the Governor’s mansion this November!” Matt Herridge, West Virginia Republican Party chairman, told the outlet.
“Republican voters spoke loud and clear in selecting Patrick Morrisey as the nominee and next governor of West Virginia. There is only one conservative candidate on the ballot who will stand up to the Biden Administration’s disastrous agenda and deliver results for West Virginia families and no amount of wish-casting by anonymous sources will change that,” Republican Governors Association national press secretary Courtney Alexander said.
Morrisey lost to Manchin in the 2018 Senate race by 3 percentage points.
Manchin will be leaving the Senate next year, following his announcement that he would not run for reelection. The announcement came after early polling showed Gov. Jim Justice (R-WV) beating him in a contest.
The Washington Examiner reached out to Manchin for comment.
The only Democrat in the gubernatorial race is Huntington Mayor Steve Williams, who said he’s skeptical of claims that Manchin would opt to run.
CLICK HERE TO READ MORE FROM THE WASHINGTON EXAMINER
“Joe Manchin has not given me any indication that there has been any conversation along those lines. Secondly, he contributed to my campaign in the primary. He is committed to contributing to my campaign in the general, and we have had several conversations since election day,” he told MetroNews.
“Unless Joe Manchin is the most duplicitous person on the face of the earth, which I don’t believe he is because he’s been a friend for over 40 years now, I don’t see that these rumors have any legs,” he added.