Mooney wraps up a northern swing through West Virginia in Morgantown – WV MetroNews

MORGANTOWN, W.Va. — West Virginia Second District Congressman Alex Mooney is kicking off the August recess by continuing to get acquainted with constituents in the newly drawn district.

Stops on Friday included the Cleveland Cliffs steel manufacturing facility in Weirton, the Enron Refinery in Newell, the Sherwood Gas Plant in Doddridge County, The Louis A. Johnson VA Medical Center in Clarksburg, and Morgantown. Mooney stopped at the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH), the Hope Gas headquarters, Intermed Labs, and held a roundtable discussion at Mon Health.

“The north central part of West Virginia is new to my congressional district, so this is my chance to get here in our district work period in August and tour places I have not toured before because I have not been their congressman,” Mooney said.

During a stop at Hope Gas headquarters on Chestnut Ridge Road, the former home of Mylan Pharmaceuticals, Mooney praised the work of the WVU Innovation Corporation in taking ownership of the facility to develop an economic engine. Mooney said the jobs created by Hope Gas are “good-paying jobs” that can support a family.

“It’s a struggle to get jobs and employers to a lot of places, but having that asset there is huge,” Mooney said. “They’re expanding as well; they’re going to hire hundreds of more people to keep the energy industry vibrant in our state.”

After previously touring V.A. hospitals in Charleston and Martinsburg, Mooney took his first tour of the Louis A. Johnson Veterans’ Administration Medical Center. Mooney said learning about the quality of care veterans receive and the people who deliver it was an important part of the visit.

“A lot of people are very proud of taking care of veterans, as they should be; you can see that in their faces,” Mooney said. “In fact, a lot of veterans are working there—nurses and doctors that are taking care of veterans.”

In his battle for the Republican nomination for the United States Senate, he noted the primary election is only nine months away and continues to draw distinctions between himself and Jim Justice, whom Mooney sees as his main challenge. Political newcomer and energy sector worker Chris Rose is also battling for the Republican nomination.

“I’m the only actual proven conservative in this race; the other people are fakes, frankly,” Mooney said. “If you like Joe Manchin, Jim Justice is the same thing—they’re both liberals, and I can show that, that will be demonstrated.”

In the absence of an endorsement from former President Donald Trump, Mooney reeled off a number of endorsements, including those of 29 West Virginia state lawmakers, Ted Cruz, Senator from Texas; Rand Paul, Senator from Kentucky; Mike Lee, Senator from Utah; and the Gun Owners of America.

“I’m proud of the endorsements I have,” Mooney said. “President Trump has thus far chosen to remain neutral. I am the Trump candidate in the race, and I would love his endorsement, but he is neutral at this point.”

Mooney added that he considers himself more of a fighter for the people and the country than Jim Justice would be.

Mooney plans to visit Bluefield and meet with coal miners next week.