FILE - in this April 25, 2017, file photo, Sen. Joe Manchin, D-W. Va. listens to a reporter's question before a policy luncheon on Capitol Hill in Washington. Senate Republicans landed a top-tier candidate in West Virginia but have struggled to recruit well-known GOP challengers in several states where President Donald Trump romped and Democratic incumbents warily face re-election. Two-term Rep. Evan Jenkins on May 8 announced his bid against Manchin, West Virginiaâs popular former governor whose conservative record often puts him at odds with his party and made him a possible member of Trumpâs Cabinet. (AP Photo/Alex Brandon, File)
The Associated Press
DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) - Senate Republicans landed a top-tier candidate in West Virginia. But they have struggled to recruit well-known GOP challengers in several of the states where President Donald Trump romped and Democratic incumbents warily face re-election.
Two-term Republican Rep. Evan Jenkins on Monday announced his bid against Democratic Sen. Joe Manchin, West Virginia's popular former governor whose conservative record often puts him at odds with his party.
In Wisconsin, Michigan and other states, Republicans have passed on challenging Democrats. Trump's abysmal approval ratings loom large as does the typically rough going for the president's party in midterm elections. Democratic senators in states Trump carried last year have capitalized on their party's resistance to the president to post robust early fundraising.
FILE - In this May 13, 2016, file photo, Rep. Evan Jenkins, R-W. Va., is joined by other House Republicans as he talks about legislation passed to combat opioid addiction on Capitol Hill in Washington. Senate Republicans landed a top-tier candidate in West Virginia but have struggled to recruit well-known GOP challengers in several states where President Donald Trump romped and Democratic incumbents warily face re-election. Jenkins on May 8, announced his bid against Democratic Sen. Joe Manchin, West Virginiaâs popular former governor whose conservative record often puts him at odds with his party and made him a possible member of Trumpâs Cabinet. (AP Photo/J. Scott Applewhite)
The Associated Press