Sen. Joe Manchin endorses Democratic mayor to replace him in Senate seat, Republicans eyeing pickup opportunity

Senator Joe Manchin of West Virginia has officially endorsed Wheeling Mayor Glenn Elliott to replace him in his Senate seat, a move that has Republicans eyeing the seat as a top pickup opportunity in the upcoming election.

In a video posted on social media, Manchin expressed his support for Elliott, praising his determination, vigor, and vitality to serve as a senator for West Virginia. Manchin highlighted Elliott’s commitment to fighting for the state, creating jobs, and improving the economy, emphasizing that Elliott will prioritize the needs of the people over partisan politics.

Manchin, known for his moderate stance within the Democratic Party, announced last November that he would not seek reelection for another term. With Manchin stepping down, his Senate seat is now considered vulnerable for Democrats, with Republicans having more opportunities to gain seats in the Senate.

Elliott, who is running for the Democratic nomination, revealed that he had a conversation with Manchin about potentially running for Senate shortly after the senator’s retirement announcement. Encouraged by Manchin’s belief in the winnability of the race, Elliott decided to enter the race, facing competition from former coal company CEO Don Blankenship and Marine Corps veteran Zach Shrewsbury.

On the Republican side, West Virginia Governor Jim Justice is the front-runner for the nomination, with Rep. Alex Mooney as his main opponent. The primaries are set to take place on May 14, with both parties gearing up for a competitive race to fill Manchin’s Senate seat.

With the spotlight on West Virginia’s Senate race, all eyes will be on the candidates as they vie for the opportunity to represent the state in Washington, D.C. Stay tuned for the latest updates on this developing story.