DCCC: The Top 6 Reasons Huntington Residents Can’t Trust Evan Jenkins

WASHINGTON, July 29 -- The Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee issued the following news release:

As Evan Jenkins prepares to open his campaign office in Huntington tonight, here are the top six reasons Huntington residents cannot trust Evan Jenkins.

"Evan Jenkins is already showing that he will bend over backward to put the agenda of his out-of-state, billionaire backers before West Virginia's working families," said David Bergstein of the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee. "Whether Jenkins is skipping out on veterans to fundraise in New York City or making it harder for coal miners to receive black lung benefits, residents in Huntington and across West Virginia have already learned they simply can't trust Jenkins to look out for them in Washington."

THE TOP 6 REASONS HUNTINGTON RESIDENTS CANNOT TRUST EVAN JENKINS

* Evan Jenkins would make it harder for coal miners to receive black lung benefits. From the Charleston Gazette (http://www.wvgazette.com/article/20140326/GZ01/140329571): "Repealing the ACA, [United Mine Workers of America President Cecil] Roberts added, would 'have the practical effect of once again cutting off black lung benefits for many, if not most of those applying for them.' Joe Massie, president of the National black lung Association, also said the ACA helps miners and widows get black lung benefits."

* Evan Jenkins sold out West Virginia veterans to fundraise in New York City. From the Charleston Daily Mail (http://www.charlestondailymail.com/article/20140618/DM0104/140619185): "State Sen. Evan Jenkins, R-Cabell, is one of several legislators who skipped interim committee meetings this week Jenkins appeared on morning news talk show 'Fox and Friends' Monday before fundraising for the National Republican Congressional Committee at the New York Palace Hotel. In doing so, he missed, among others, a meeting of the Select Committee on Veterans Affairs."

* Evan Jenkins accepted thousands of dollars from Massey Executives, including Don Blankenship -- who was responsible for the Upper Big Branch mine disaster. Jenkins accepted $11,550 from Massey Energy executives, including $1,000 from Massey Energy CEO Don Blankenship. [West Virginia People's Election Reform Coalition report, accessed 2/07/14 (http://www.followthemoney.org/press/Reports/200512012.pdf); National Institute On Money In State Politics, 1/22/08 (http://www.followthemoney.org/press/PrintReportView.phtml?r=352)]

* Evan Jenkins voted against increasing a minimum wage for West Virginia's working families. In 2014, Jenkins voted against a bill to increase the minimum wage by $1.50 over two years. The bill passed the Senate 20-14. Read the facts about how Jenkins' opposition to a minimum wage increase is hurting West Virginians here (http://www.wvdemocrats.com/documents/7-9-14HowEvanJenkinsOppositiontoMinimumWageIncreaseHurtsWestVirginians.pdf). [HB 4283, Vote #63, 3/08/14 (http://www.legis.state.wv.us/legisdocs/2014/RS/votes/senate/03-08-0063.pdf); Associated Press, 3/09/14 (http://www.charlestondailymail.com/News/statehouse/201403090006)]

* Evan Jenkins supported increasing seniors' out-of-pocket costs for health care. In 2013, Jenkins said studies proved that even co-payments encouraged health care consumers and seniors to reconsider unnecessary services.'With a little financial skin in the game, they will think about that co-pay when deciding whether or not 'I really need to go to the doctor,' Jenkins said." [Charleston Daily Mail, 5/13/13 (http://www.charlestondailymail.com/News/201305120120)]

* Charleston Gazette Editorial: Jenkins "A Shill" for Health Insurance Industry. "Jenkins is a shill for Medical Assurance. The company pays the Medical Association more than $100,000 a year. As part of that once-secret deal, the Medical Association agreed to lobby for tort reform." [Editorial, Charleston Gazette, 10/02/01]

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