Retired Brig. Gen. Chris “Mookie” Walker (Photo Provided)

CHARLESTON – The first Black commander of West Virginia’s military aircraft is jumping into a crowded Republican primary for the state’s 2nd Congressional District.

Retired Brig. Gen. Chris “Mookie” Walker announced Tuesday he will run for the 2nd District seat held by U.S. Rep. Alex Mooney. Walker also released a video Tuesday introducing himself to voters.

“I’m running for Congress because we need a self-made West Virginia warrior in Washington, D.C., not another career politician merely casting votes,” Walker said in a statement Tuesday. “Our very way of life is under attack by the far left. I won’t just stand by and watch.”

Walker retired in 2021 as assistant adjutant general and commander of the West Virginia National Guard.

A native of New York City, Walker graduated from the Air Force Academy in 1988, becoming a C-130 navigator. He left active duty service in 1997 and joined the Air National Guard. That led to several assignments with the 167th Airlift Wing in Martinsburg as an instructor navigator.

In 2016, Walker became chief of staff in the West Virginia Air National Guard, becoming assistant adjutant general in 2019. He also served as an assistant to the assistant secretary of the Air Force for Manpower and Reserve Affairs in Washington, D.C. His overseas assignments included postings in Japan, Iraq and Somalia.

He was promoted to brigadier general in 2017.

Walker is entering a packed primary field. According to the Federal Election Commission, Republican candidates include Alexander Gaaserud, Nate Cain, Joe Earley and State Treasurer Riley Moore.

Moore is a former Jefferson County lawmaker endorsed by Mooney. He is the grandson of the late Republican governor Arch Moore and the nephew of U.S. Sen. Shelley Moore Capito, R-W.Va.

In his campaign video, Walker took a swipe at Moore’s political dynasty background.

“I wasn’t born into money or a political dynasty. My life is the story of hard work and choosing what is right,” Walker said. “I’m even a West Virginian by choice. I put down roots here because West Virginia is different. Real people, real American values, common sense. But our West Virginia way of life cannot defend itself.”

The candidate filing period in West Virginia for the May 14 primary opened Monday with only Republican congressional candidates Cain, Earley and Moore filing the first day. Moore, who filed in person in Charleston at the Secretary of State’s Office with his family, was endorsed Tuesday by GOPAC, a conservative political organization that once named Moore an Emerging Leader when he was a member of the House of Delegates.

Candidates have until midnight Saturday, Jan. 27, to file candidacy papers for the May 14 primary.