Paula Jean Swearengin, who is challenging Sen. Joe Manchin in West Virginia’s Democratic primary, criticized the senator for only focusing on the needs of the state's voters when an election nears, The Washington Free Beacon reported on Sunday.
"I'm getting sick and tired of seeing him acting like he cares during a reelection," Swearengin said. "How come he is not taking care of us the rest of the time? He is in office for six years, not just during the primary and the general."
Swearengin has called Sen. Bernie Sanders “a really great person” and is endorsed by Brand New Congress, a PAC formed by volunteers and staffers for Sanders' presidential campaign.
Swearengin has accused Manchin of serving “the coal industry and not coal miners and their communities,” telling MetroNews that, “It’s obvious that our leaders are not going to do anything and when coal is gone, we really don’t have a Plan B. We deserve a diverse and equal and fair economic infrastructure.”
Swearengin also criticized Manchin for his out-of-state contributors and a recent remark he made that he has "no idea" who his campaign donors are, according to the Free Beacon.
"Most of his donors have come from other states… [but] he says he doesn't know where his money is and that makes me question who is doing his job for him."
Politico reported that Manchin brought in more than $1.4 million for his re-election campaign in the second quarter, boosting his fund to almost $3.5 million.
In addition to his challenger in the Democratic primary, two Republicans have also declared their intention to run in their party’s own primary.
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