FOX FIRST: A group that has been actively campaigning against him says the longtime West Virginia Republican stalwart has criticized critics for providing health care to illegal immigrants. He lost Tuesday night's primary because he supported a controversial bill. .
West Virginia Republican state senator Craig Blair, who has served in the state Senate since 2013 and for years before that, defeated primary challenger Tom Willis on Tuesday night. WV Metro News reported.
Stand for Us PAC, a group that has pledged to spend at least $1 million to defeat incumbents it deems weak on illegal immigration, lost because of Mr Blair's support for health subsidies for illegal immigrants. It is claimed that
“The reason is simple: Craig Blair bowed to the far left on illegal immigration and turned his back on the people of West Virginia…and Stand for Us PAC is holding him accountable.” PAC Chair Katie Miller said. He released a statement to FOX News Digital on Wednesday.
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Republican WV Lieutenant Governor Craig Blair (John Moore/West Virginia State Assembly)
“Last month, Stand for Us spent more than $400,000 trying to defeat President Blair, with much of the money being used to fight accusations that taxpayers' money would be used to shore up federal programs that illegally subsidize people's health care. was devoted to letting the Senate President's voters know how he led the “Immigrants.” ”
At the center of the issue was Blair's support for West Virginia's Senate Bill 325, which critics say would strengthen the federal government's 340B program and ultimately provide medical assistance to illegal immigrants. It is said to mean.
Similar bills have been introduced around the country, drawing the ire of Republicans, including in Virginia, where Republican Gov. Glenn Youngkin vetoed the bill.
The Stand for Us PAC ran multiple ads criticizing Prime Minister Blair over the issue, claiming that he is “contrary to President Trump's America First policies.”
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A U.S. Border Patrol agent speaks with migrants who were stopped from entering a busy illegal border crossing along the Rio Grande in El Paso, Texas, as seen from Ciudad Juarez, Mexico, on December 20, 2022. (John Moore/Getty Images)
“It's unfortunate that a bill that passed the Senate on a bipartisan and unanimous vote could be so blatantly misunderstood and weaponized,” Blair, West Virginia's lieutenant governor, told Fox News Digital in a statement. Wednesday.
“This bill has nothing to do with providing medical assistance to illegal immigrants. Providing more affordable prescription drugs to West Virginians, especially vulnerable seniors on fixed incomes, is a 'shootable.' If it's a crime, I'll do it proudly.'' Please bring me that pink piece of paper. ”
In a press release, Miller explained the strategy Stand for Us used to topple Blair, who had a plus-12 favorability rating in April and was 11 points behind Willis.
West Virginia State Capitol. (St. Petersburg)
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Mr Miller also warned in a statement that incumbent Republican MPs should be cautious about their stance on illegal immigration in light of Mr Blair's surprise defeat.
“Other Republicans should take note,” Miller said. “We only had a month between the first spending and Election Day, and we were still able to oust a well-established Senate president by a double-digit margin.” he said. This should make clear to Republicans across the country who are considering voting on legislation to strengthen the 340b program or allow non-referendum voting that no amount of power is safe. ”
Miller continued, “'Stand for Us' isn't going anywhere. The results of our efforts will help us hold more accountable so-called conservatives who refuse to crack down on illegal immigration. “It just gave them the courage to increase their initial investment. Republicans are now continuing to operate.” Note that they support 340b or non-referendum at their own political risk. ”
Andrew Mark Miller is a reporter for FOX News. Find him on Twitter @andymarkmiller and email tips to him at AndrewMark.Miller@Fox.com.