Eyeing 2020, Democratic governor candidates seek to break from pack

Two of the most conservative Democrats in the U.S. Senate wrapped up their remarks Friday at the Charleston Coliseum & Convention Center. Then the first of four gubernatorial candidates took the stage, where he floated the idea of paying people to move to West Virginia.

Jody Murphy, a newcomer to statewide politics, acknowledged his platform is unusual. But speaking at the state Democratic Party’s annual fundraising dinner, he said he has plans to realize the elusive, though oft-pitched, goal of broadening West Virginia’s economy.

“We can diversify the economy by giving away land,” he said, offering another idea to draw companies that will deliver at least 100 jobs. “Not a whole bunch of land, not everywhere, but a pilot program. These are ideas we can do. This can be done.”

Sen. Joe Manchin, D-W.Va., won reelection in 2018 in a stronghold state for President Donald Trump. On Friday, he introduced Sen. Jon Tester, another Democrat who pulled off a similar 2018 victory in Montana despite Trump carrying the state by 20 points, to deliver a keynote address.

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