Republican Senate hopefuls lean into energy to make their case

By Manuel Quiñones | 07/17/2024 06:41 AM EDT

Several candidates headlined the second night of the Republican National Convention.

Jim Justice.

West Virginia Gov. Jim Justice, running to replace retiring Sen. Joe Manchin, speaking in Milwaukee on Tuesday. The former coal mine executive focused on his relationship with former President Donald Trump. Francis Chung/POLITICO

GOP Senate hopefuls on Tuesday ridiculed clean energy policies as they took turns speaking during the second night of the Republican National Convention in Milwaukee.

Rep. Mike Rogers, who is running to replace retiring Michigan Democratic Sen. Debbie Stabenow, accused the Biden administration of “trying to force you to buy an electric vehicle.”

President Joe Biden has not backed or implemented a mandate, but Republicans argue that EPA’s new rules to limit tailpipe pollution would have that effect.

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Biden’s EV agenda, Rogers said, would “destroy American jobs” by increasing the country’s reliance on imports for minerals and other components.

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