West Virginia's Republican Party is launching a new attack on Sen. Joe Manchin Joseph (Joe) ManchinBiden promises Democratic senators help in battleground states Senate leaders quash talk of rank-and-file COVID-19 deal OVERNIGHT ENERGY: House Democrats tee up vote on climate-focused energy bill next week | EPA reappoints controversial leader to air quality advisory committee | Coronavirus creates delay in Pentagon research for alternative to 'forever chemicals' MORE (D-W.Va.) after the state's governor switched parties and became a Republican at a rally with President Trump.

In a new advertisement set to air on Facebook in August, the state GOP praises Gov. Jim Justice (R) and knocks Manchin as the highest-profile Hillary Clinton Hillary Diane Rodham ClintonWhat Senate Republicans have said about election-year Supreme Court vacancies Bipartisan praise pours in after Ginsburg's death Trump carries on with rally, unaware of Ginsburg's death MORE supporter remaining in the state.

"West Virginia chose Trump. Gov. Jim Justice gets it," the video's text reads.

The advertisement uses footage of Justice at Trump's rally Thursday night. At the rally, Justice said the Democratic Party "walked away from me," and "I can't help you anymore as a Democratic governor."

The ad then turns its focus back to Manchin.

"But Joe Manchin is 'disappointed,' " it says, followed by footage of Manchin endorsing Hillary Clinton.

"Joe Manchin is out of touch with West Virginia," it concludes.

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Trump took 68 percent of the vote in West Virginia in the 2016 election, beating Clinton by 41 points. Manchin endorsed Clinton but also criticized her for comments about the coal industry.

Manchin who is up for reelection in 2018 already has two Republican challengers.

Rep. Evan Jenkins (R-W.Va.), announced his campaign to unseat Manchin in May. Jenkins said Manchin had "changed" when he got to Washington, D.C., and the Republican lawmaker played up his support for Trump in his announcement.

"Joe changed when he got to Washington. West Virginia values? Not anymore," Jenkins said.



West Virginia's Republican attorney general, Patrick Morrisey, has also declared his candidacy for the seat.

Manchin won reelection in 2012 with 60.6 percent of the vote.