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Jenkins seeks U.S. Senate seat

TAKING TIME TO LISTEN — U.S. Rep. Evan Jenkins, R-W.Va., left, speaks with Steve and Beverly Spiewak while visiting Weirton on Monday. Jenkins, who is seeking election to the U.S. Senate as part of the 2018 election, is touring the state to hear from residents about their concerns and ideas. -- Craig Howell

WEIRTON — Evan Jenkins is hoping to do more to take the voices of West Virginians to Washington, D.C.

The second-term U.S. Congressman, who currently represents West Virginia’s 3rd District, has hit the campaign trail with the plan to unseat current U.S. Sen. Joe Manchin.

Jenkins, a Republican who also previously served 18 years in the West Virginia Legislature, was in Weirton on Monday, meeting with residents as part of his “Restoring Our Values Tour.”

“I want to take our West Virginia values and work to tackle the problems in Washington,” Jenkins said, explaining he wants to hear directly from residents about issues which concern them. “These tours are an opportunity for folks to come in and share their vision and values.”

Jenkins noted, for example, that while he knows jobs are important for everyone, the types and availability of jobs, and what may be needed will be different depending upon the region of the state. The Northern Panhandle has a history with manufacturing, and is seeing growth in the natural gas industry, while the Eastern Panhandle’s growth can be influenced by Washington, D.C.

“The issues in West Virginia are not all the same,” he said.

Looking at the Northern Panhandle, in particular, Jenkins applauded continuing efforts to attract new manufacturing, improve its infrastructure and look for new ideas to create a vision for the future.

“This region is a crossroads of opportunity,” he said, noting the balance area residents have created of working for a new identity while taking pride in their history and culture.

Jenkins explained he is in favor of fewer regulations, finding ways to use all of the available resources, and securing the nation’s borders. He was among those in the House who voted recently in favor of an appropriations bill providing $1.6 billion toward a southern border wall.

Jenkins noted his relationships with West Virginia’s other Congressional representatives, along with his efforts to learn about the needs of all West Virginians.

“I sit with David McKinley on the House floor every day,” he said. “We have a very close working relationship.”

Jenkins noted the same is true for West Virginia’s 2nd District representative, Alex Mooney

During his first term, Jenkins said he worked to stand against the job-killing regulations initiated by the Obama administration, fought for the Second Amendment and says he is “proudly pro-life,” believing no taxpayer dollars should be used to fund abortions.

Jenkins said he supports the efforts of President Donald Trump, having endorsed him early in the campaign, and has spoken with the president about several issues, including the opioid crisis.

“Weirton, and this panhandle is very symbolic of why Donald Trump was elected,” Jenkins said, noting it provided a change in direction he feels many wanted.

A native and current resident of Huntington, Jenkins also has been involved with the Boy Scouts of America, Big Brothers Big Sisters and is a founder of Lilly’s Place, which works to care for babies born with Neonatal Abstinence Syndrome.

He is married with three children.

(Howell can be contacted at chowell@weirtondailytimes.com, and followed via Twitter @CHowellWDT)

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