Charleston, W.Va. – The West Virginians for Manufacturing Jobs (WVMJ) PAC with consultation from West Virginia Manufacturers Association (WVMA) announces endorsements for the 2020 West Virginia Primary. These endorsements convey the support of the WVMJ PAC and the manufacturing industry for West Virginia Primary races. The WVMJ PAC will conduct candidate surveys and additional analysis when determining endorsements for 2020 General Election. Incumbents who received a score of 80 percent or better on legislation aimed at improving manufacturing in West Virginia and demonstrate the ability to representing West Virginia in a positive way are included in primary endorsements.
“We want to recognize legislators and candidates who demonstrate an exceptional understanding of the importance of the growth of manufacturing to our state’s economy,” said Rebecca McPhail, President of the WVMJ PAC and West Virginia Manufacturers Association. “As our state faces unprecedented economic challenges, it is more important than ever to look ahead and support candidates who can most effectively lead our state to a strong economic future at every level.”
The WVMA is a vocal proponent of maximizing the benefits of the region’s vast shale resources to advance downstream manufacturing development and expansion of natural gas for energy consumers. The industry also advocates policy to create a competitive environment for manufacturing investment in the Mountain State. Recent policy efforts include manufacturing tax reform, regulatory balance, and workforce preparedness.
“As we navigate these historic times, West Virginians cannot lose focus on life beyond the COVID-19 crisis and the importance of strong leadership from the top down in pushing our state through economic recovery,” McPhail said. “This is particularly crucial in establishing increased economic diversity economy with a strong foundation in manufacturing.”
Full Endorsements by the WVMJ PAC for the 2020 Primary are as follows:
U.S. Senate
Shelley Moore Capito
Governor
Woody Thrasher
Secretary of State
Mac Warner
Supreme Court
Tim Armstead District 1
Joanna Tabit District 2
John Hutchinson District 3
State Senate
Ryan Weld District 1
Mike Maroney District 2
Donna Boley District 3
Mitch Carmichael District 4
Chandler Swope District 6
Rupie Phillips District 7
Sue Cline District 9
Robert Karnes District 11
Randy Smith District 14
Craig Blair District 15
Patricia Rucker District 16
Eric Nelson District 17
House of Delegates
Mark Zatezalo District 1
Erikka Storch District 3
David Kelly District 6
Trenton Barnhart District 7
Bill Anderson District 8
Vernon Criss District 10
John Kelly District 10
Rick Atkinson District 11
Steve Westfall District 12
Joshua Higginbotham District 13
Geoff Foster District 15
John Mandt District 16
Joe Jeffries District 22
Joe Ellington District 27
Marty Gearheart District 27
Jeff Pack District 28
Brandon Steele District 29
Roger Hanshaw District 33
Moore Capito District 35
Chris Stansbury District 35
Diana Graves District 38
Dean Jeffries District 40
Caleb Hanna District 44
Danny Hamrick District 48
Ben Queen District 48
Clay Riley District 48
Amy Summers District 49
Joe Statler District 51
Cindy Frich District 51
Terri Funk Sypolt District 52
D.R. “Buck” Jennings District 53
John Paul Hott, II District 54
Gary Howell District 56
Daryl Cowles District 58
Larry Kump District 59
Eric Householder District 64
Paul Espinosa District 66
Mark Everhart District 67
The WV for Manufacturing Jobs Political Action Committee works in cooperation with the WV Manufacturers Association (WVMA) to improve the health and well-being of the manufacturing industry in West Virginia. Formed in 1915, the WVMA has represents the quality and diversity of manufacturing in the Mountain State, and the nearly 50,000 direct jobs provided by the industry through policy and advocacy efforts, workforce development initiatives, and providing a strong network for West Virginia’s manufacturers.
