HUNTINGTON — West Virginia state Auditor JB McCuskey will serve as campaign chairman for Evan Jenkins’ campaign for U.S. Senate.
“I’m supporting Evan Jenkins for the United States Senate,” McCuskey said. “Evan is somebody that I’ve known and been friends with for 25 years … and I know that he shares our values.”
McCuskey announced his support of Jenkins on Aug. 17.
“I’m incredibly honored to have JB’s support,” Jenkins said in a statement. “He is a true public servant to the people of West Virginia. As fathers and lifelong West Virginians, JB and I entered public service for the same reason: to protect the conservative values and hard-earned tax dollars of West Virginia families.
“Like many West Virginians, JB understands that Washington has trampled on Mountain State families for far too long. I’m thrilled that he has accepted the role of campaign chairman in our efforts to bring new leadership to the United States Senate. With his help and the support of families across our state, I’m even more confident in our success next November.”
Before his election as state auditor in 2016, McCuskey was a two-term member of the House of Delegates and an attorney for six years with Steptoe & Johnson in Charleston. In November, McCuskey won the auditor’s race with over 58 percent of the vote.
Born in Clarksburg and a longtime resident of Charleston, McCuskey has worked as a civilian for the Department of Defense at the Pentagon and in the offices of the Army and Department of Defense General Counsels.
He is the son of former state Supreme Court Justice John F. McCuskey, who also served in the state Legislature, and the late Anne McCuskey. He resides with his wife, Wendy, and daughters, Charlotte Anne and Martha Elizabeth, in Charleston, where they own a small business.
In addition to Jenkins, state Attorney General Patrick Morrisey and former coal miner Bo Copley has announced plans to run as Republicans for the Senate seat currently occupied by Democrat Joe Manchin, who seeks re-election. Manchin will face primary competition from environmental activist Paula Jean Swearengin, who already has been endorsed by the Brand New Congress political action committee formed by former staff members and supporters of Bernie Sanders. Former Massey Energy CEO Don Blankenship also has hinted as running as a Republican or an Independent.