DeMint throws support behind Raese in West Virginia Senate race

Senator Jim DeMint (R-SC) has endorsed John Raese in the race to replace the late Sen. Robert Byrd in West Virginia. DeMint, as the head of the Senate Conservative Fund, said that Raese is “a principled conservative leader who has a strong chance of winning this critical race and really needs our help.” DeMint has become a key figure in this election cycle, backing conservative Tea Party candidates even without the approval of GOP leadership. DeMint said that if Raese joins him in the Senate, he will “ join a group of new Republicans in the Senate who will honor their oaths to support and defend the Constitution.”

Raese is currently in a tight race with Governor Joe Manchin. Raese has said that Manchin will be a rubber stamp for President Obama. DeMint further hit Manchin for his support of cap and trade, government controlled health care, and the stimulus bill, although Manchin has been running away from the Obama agenda in recent advertisements. The most recent poll shows Raese leading Manchin by 3%, with most polls showing Raese slightly leading or tied.