West Virginia Governor Jim Justice Leads Senator Joe Manchin by 13 Points in Latest Poll

The latest poll of West Virginia voters has revealed that Sen. Joe Manchin (D-W.Va.) is trailing behind West Virginia Gov. Jim Justice (R) by 13 points. The Emerson College survey conducted from Oct. 1-4 showed Justice with 41 percent support, while Manchin garnered 28 percent. The poll also indicated that Justice has a 40 percent job approval rating, significantly higher than President Biden’s 19 percent approval rating in the state.

Interestingly, Manchin leads Rep. Alex Mooney (R-W.Va.) in a hypothetical match-up, with 37 percent support compared to Mooney’s 31 percent. However, independents are breaking for Justice over Manchin, with 43 percent supporting Justice and 18 percent supporting Manchin.

Despite the challenging political landscape, Manchin remains confident in his ability to win any race he enters. He recently announced a significant federal support package for the Appalachian Regional Clean Hydrogen Hub, showcasing his commitment to his constituents. Manchin has not yet decided on running for reelection and plans to announce his intentions at the beginning of 2024.

In August, Manchin expressed serious consideration about leaving the Democratic Party, citing the negative connotations associated with the party’s national brand. However, he emphasized that he is not a Washington Democrat and prioritizes the needs of West Virginians above all else.

The poll also revealed that former President Trump continues to have strong support in West Virginia, leading Biden by a significant margin. A majority of voters in the state believe that Biden stole the 2020 election, further highlighting the political divide in the region.

As the political landscape in West Virginia continues to evolve, the upcoming Senate race promises to be a closely watched contest with significant implications for the state and the nation as a whole.