Press Release
ROCKEFELLER KICKS OFF CAMPAIGN FOR RE-ELECTION
Senator to make official announcement at events on Saturday in Charleston and Fairmont, and Sunday in Shepherdstown
Charleston, W.Va. – Joined today in Beckley by his wife, Sharon, and their children and grandchildren, Senator Jay Rockefeller kicked off his campaign for re-election with a pre-announcement celebration and the launch of Veterans for Rockefeller -- a committee made up of veterans from across the state who will be working at a grassroots level to support Senator Rockefeller and his work on their behalf.
Rockefeller will be making the official announcement that he is seeking re-election to the U.S. Senate on Saturday at events in Charleston and Fairmont, and on Sunday in Shepherdstown.
Reflecting on his time in Emmons as a VISTA volunteer, today he talked about what it has meant to him to represent West Virginia, and how honored he would be to be re-elected for a fifth term to the U.S. Senate.
“When I first came to West Virginia as a VISTA volunteer in 1964, I discovered my calling in life, and that was to fight every day to improve the lives of West Virginians,” Rockefeller said. “It has been a privilege to wake up each day and serve the people of West Virginia , and if they'll let me, I'll be deeply honored to continue representing them in the Senate.”
“I'm very proud of everything we have accomplished over the years, but there is so much work that remains,” he continued. “My passion for the people of this great state is just as strong today as it was 44 years ago when I first came to West Virginia, and I continue to be inspired by them.”
In addition to speaking about his proudest accomplishments – from the Children's Health Insurance Program (CHIP), to health benefits for veterans and retired coal miners, wiring classrooms and libraries to the Internet through the E-Rate program, and bringing jobs to the state through companies like Toyota – Rockefeller also talked about what lies ahead, and his confidence in West Virginia's future.
“West Virginia is undergoing a transformation, and I'm extremely optimistic about our state's future,” Rockefeller said. “Our economy is changing and growing, and we've got the right brainpower and right internal compass to make West Virginia a state of enormous opportunity and growth.”
Rockefeller was first elected to the U.S. Senate in 1984. After coming to Emmons, W.Va. in 1964 as a VISTA volunteer, Rockefeller served in the State Legislature and as Secretary of State. Rockefeller spent four years as President of West Virginia Wesleyan College, and was then elected Governor in 1976 and re-elected in 1980.
For more information regarding Rockefeller's campaign for re-election, please visit www.jay08.com
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