West Virginia Manufacturers Association, Chamber of Commerce endorse Rep. McKinley
April 11, 2022
CLARKSBURG, W.Va. (WV News) The West Virginia Manufacturers Association and the West Virginia Chamber of Commerce have endorsed Rep. David McKinley R-W.Va., in the May 10 primary election.
The organizations announced their endorsements Monday in Clarksburg following a roundtable discussion among McKinley, local business leader and elected officials hosted by Stockmeier Urethanes.
McKinley, who has served in Congress since 2011, faces fellow Republican incumbent Rep. Alex Mooney in the upcoming primary in the newly redrawn Second Congressional District.
“You understand the unique needs of manufacturers but – maybe more importantly – you’re here for us in West Virginia. You are presents in our state; you are engaged, and you put West Virginia first,” said Rebecca McPhail, president of the WVMA. “For that reason, I am very proud to announce that the WVMA and the West Virginia Chamber of Commerce are happy to endorse your candidacy and really wish that you’ll continue to serve as you have for so long.”
The Chamber’s relationship with McKinley predates his time in Washington, said Vice President of Policy & Advocacy Brian Dayton.
“We have been great friends with Congressman McKinley long before he was even elected – back to his time as the minority leader in the (West Virginia) House of Delegates,” he said. “Any time that our members have ever needed anything from Congressman McKinley’s office, we don’t event have to go to him, he comes to us and listens to us.”
McKinley, who also recently received the endorsement of the West Virginia Business & Industry Council, thanked all those supporting his re-election effort.
“I think the momentum is there, and what we want to do is just continue it,” he said.
His style of politics can be boiled down to two essential elements: listening to his constituents and helping them solve their problems, McKinley said.
“Just listen. This is West Virginia,” he said. “Take care of West Virginia and the spirit, the strength that we have in our state will carry us into the next millennium.”
During the roundtable discussion prior to the announcement, McKinley spoke about the more than $6 billion the state is expected to receive from the federal infrastructure package, energy independence, the war in Ukraine and November’s midterm elections.
Story by Charles Young at WV News