Alex Mooney, a West Virginia U.S. Rep., announced his candidacy for the Senate in 2024.

A week after he managed to reelect for a fifth term in Congress the Republican backed former President Donald Trump announced Tuesday that he will be entering the race for U.S. Senator Joe Manchin’s seat in West Virginia.

Mooney stated that Manchin “I believe I’ll defeat” in an interview with The Associated Press, shortly after declaring his candidacy.

It wasn’t surprising that the announcement was made. Mooney has been taking aim at Manchin for months. His role as swing vote on major spending bills in the divided U.S. Senate has raised his profile nationally. Manchin has yet to announce whether he will run for reelection.

Mooney stated that Mooney has been around for a while, has met many people, and has a lot money. He also noted that Mooney will have more time to raise funds by announcing his campaign earlier. “I want to let Joe Manchin know my intentions.”

Mooney expressed his frustration at Manchin’s endorsement of outgoing Republican Rep. David McKinley during the May primary. After West Virginia lost a seat in the U.S. House of Representatives due to population declines, Mooney prevailed.

Mooney told the AP that the Democratic Party in West Virginia was “nearly obliterated” and called Manchin “out of touch” during a conversation before the general election.

He said, “I don’t know how arrogant it must be to believe that you as a Democrat U.S. Senator can instruct Republicans how to vote.”

Mooney’s announcement was a quick warning shot for other Republicans who are considering the race. Gov. Jim Justice and Attorney General Patrick Morrisey both thought loudly about the possibility to run for Manchin’s Senate seat.

Sam Runyon (Manchin’s communications director), stated Tuesday that “a robust democratic process is more important than ever to our country” and encouraged all candidates who value public service to apply for the race.

Mooney’s “Mooney for Congress”, television advertisement, which was solely targeted at Manchin, was released three months ago. The ad claims that the Democrat “sold West Virginia” to President Joe Biden when he voted for his Inflation Reduction Act.

Joe Manchin suddenly supports Joe Biden’s liberal agenda. Manchin supports legislation that will increase our taxes, tax the coal industry, and devastate West Virginia residents,” the ad states. “Alex Mooney will not allow Joe Manchin or Joe Biden to destroy our coal industry, and devastate West Virginia,” Mooney stated.

Manchin was a key player in the creation of the Inflation Reduction Act. It invests almost $375 billion to combat climate change. It caps prescription drug costs for Medicare recipients, extends health insurance coverage by providing subsidies during the coronavirus epidemic.

Manchin has received more campaign donations from natural gas pipeline companies this election cycle than any other lawmaker. However, he won concessions on climate issues. The bill provides money to promote alternative energy as well as to support fossil fuels through steps like subsidies for technology that reduces carbon emissions.

Mooney claims that his decision to run in the Senate seat was influenced in part by Manchin’s vote against confirming Trump nominee Supreme Court Justice Amy Coney Barrett before the 2020 election. He called it “offensive” and also disapproval of Manchin’s stance on Roe v. Wade. West Virginia’s legislature recently passed a nearly-total abortion ban.

Manchin stated that he supports Roe but sided with Republicans when the Senate tried to codify abortion access in federal law.

The West Virginia Democratic Party observed Tuesday that Mooney announced his Senate run announcement at the first anniversary of signing the federal infrastructure law. This $1.2 trillion measure Manchin negotiated with Biden and other opponents to Mooney.

State Democratic Party Chairman Del. said that West Virginia was able to benefit from this once-in a generation investment in its future because of Senator Manchin’s leadership. Mike Pushkin released a statement. “Unlike Senator Manchin’s, Congressman Mooney cannot point to one legislative achievement in his many years of service.”

Mooney encouraged West Virginians that they look at Mooney’s eight-year voting record, and let it speak for themselves.

He stated, “I have a real conservative voting record as proven on the issues that matter,” adding that he supports policies to lower inflation, protect gun owners rights, and support West Virginia’s coal sector.

Mooney’s run for Senate is happening as he remains under investigation by the House Committee on Ethics. These investigations allege that he used campaign funds for personal expenses and paid for a trip to Aruba for a campaign client and a family friend.

Mooney insists that he has reimbursed HSP Direct, his campaign client, and that no taxpayer funds were used for the trip. Mooney claims that his office fully cooperates with the Committee on Ethics.