Jenkins ‘up and running’ on day 1

Following his swearing-in ceremony Tuesday making him a member of the U.S. House of Representatives, Cabell County resident Even Jenkins said he didn’t expect to be overwhelmed in his new position.

Rep. Jenkins said his 18 years in the West Virginia Legislature has helped prepare him for this step and public service is public service whether it’s in Charleston or Washington, D.C.

“So much of what a legislator, policymaker, does is try to solve problems for real people,” Jenkins said.

Surrounded by his wife and children Jenkins said he was excited about getting to work.

“We are already open in our Huntington district office. We have a staff raring to go both here in D.C. and back in the district,” he said.

Part of Jenkins’ staff is a few holdovers from the man he defeated, former Congressman Nick Rahall. Jenkins said the staff members have expertise in constituency services and he asked them to stay on and they agreed.

“We’re up and running on day one and ready to serve the people of the Third Congressional District,” he said.


Southern West Virginia had been represented by Rahall in Congress since 1976 until Jenkins upset him in the Nov. 2014 General Election.