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Turnout | 46.3% (voting eligible) [1] | ||||||||||||||||
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Manchin: 40–50% 50–60% 60–70% 70–80% Raese: 50–60% 60–70% | |||||||||||||||||
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Elections in West Virginia |
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The 2012 United States Senate election in West Virginia was held on November 6, 2012, to elect one of West Virginia's two members of the U.S. Senate for a six-year term. In a rematch of the 2010 special election, incumbent Democratic U.S. Senator Joe Manchin won re-election to a first full term against the Republican nominee, John Raese. Notably, Manchin outperformed Barack Obama in the concurrent presidential election by 25.06 percentage points in vote share, and by 50.86 percentage points on margin.
Robert Byrd held this seat in the U.S. Senate from 1959 until his death on June 28, 2010, after serving in the U.S. House of Representatives since 1953, making him the longest-serving person in Congress. Byrd led his party in the Senate from 1977 to 1989, as Majority Leader or Minority Leader. Afterward, as the most senior Democrat in the Senate, he served as president pro tempore of the Senate whenever his party was in the majority, including at the time of his death.
After Byrd's death, West Virginia Secretary of State Natalie Tennant initially announced that a special election would not be held until the regular election for the six-year term in 2012. However, that special election was rescheduled to 2010 for it to coincide with the mid-term elections and to avoid having an interim appointee serving more than two years in the seat.
Governor Joe Manchin made a temporary appointment of Carte Goodwin to the vacant seat. Goodwin was later replaced by Manchin who won the 2010 special election.
Party | Candidate | Votes | % | |
---|---|---|---|---|
Democratic | Joe Manchin (incumbent) | 163,891 | 79.94 | |
Democratic | Sheirl Fletcher | 41,118 | 20.06 | |
Total votes | 205,009 | 100 |
Party | Candidate | Votes | % | |
---|---|---|---|---|
Republican | John Raese | 88,510 | 100.0 | |
Total votes | 88,510 | 100 |
Raese filed a rematch against Manchin, arguing that he now had more material to criticize Manchin for. One example is how Manchin lost his longtime endorsement from the organization West Virginians for Life because of his vote against defunding Planned Parenthood, the nation's largest abortion provider. [8] Another example is how he is undecided about whether or not to support Obama's re-election campaign. [9] Senior Obama campaign advisor David Axelrod commented in response, "His concern is about his own political well-being." [10] In addition, he voted against U.S. Congressman Paul Ryan's Republican budget. [11]
Raese wrote an op-ed in the Charleston Gazette-Mail , saying about Manchin, "Yes, he'll talk like a conservative and act like he's fiscally responsible to appeal to more moderate voters, but under that outward appearance of a lovable rube is the heart of a tax-and-spend liberal." [9]
Raese continued to make controversial statements. In April 2012, he equated smoking bans with Adolf Hitler's yellow badge. He said "in Monongalia County now, I have to put a huge sticker on my buildings to say this is a smoke-free environment. This is brought to you by the government of Monongalia County. Okay? Remember Hitler used to put Star of David on everybody’s lapel, remember that? Same thing." That same day, he referred to President Franklin D. Roosevelt as "Fidel Roosevelt." [12] Raese didn't apologize for his statements on Hitler saying "I am not going to be intimidated by a bunch of bullshit. I'm not apologizing to anybody or any organization. It's my perfect right to make a speech about meaningful subject matters in this country." [13] He also called rocker Ted Nugent a "patriot" for criticizing President Barack Obama. [14]
Candidate (party) | Receipts | Disbursements | Cash on hand | Debt |
---|---|---|---|---|
Joe Manchin (D) | $9,467,003 | $7,678,708 | $1,788,297 | $0 |
John Raese (R) | $1,607,740 | $1,610,493 | $4,679 | $0 |
Source: Federal Election Commission [15] |
Joe Manchin | Contribution | John Raese | Contribution | |
---|---|---|---|---|
Lawyers/Law Firms | $670,553 | Entertainment industry | $176,025 | |
Mining industry | $647,548 | Leadership PACs | $143,190 | |
Electric Utilities | $392,100 | Retired | $109,513 | |
Leadership PACs | $366,000 | Lawyers/Law Firms | $62,069 | |
Health Professionals | $287,498 | Special Trade Contractors | $59,450 | |
Retired | $275,750 | Health Professionals | $54,300 | |
Pharmaceuticals/Health Products | $272,900 | Financial Institutions | $52,695 | |
Petroleum Industry | $256,150 | Real Estate | $45,875 | |
Real Estate | $228,350 | Petroleum Industry | $35,900 | |
Lobbyists | $200,689 | Republican/Conservative | $35,357 | |
Source: OpenSecrets [16] |
Joe Manchin | Contribution | John Raese | Contribution | |
---|---|---|---|---|
FirstEnergy Corporation | $136,950 | Greer Industries | $124,754 | |
Mylan Laboratories Inc. | $127,500 | Mountaineer Contractors Inc. | $40,900 | |
Mepco LLC | $64,400 | Senate Conservatives Fund | $37,690 | |
Dominion Resources | $58,900 | Frankovitch, Anetakis, Colantonio & Simon | $25,650 | |
Centene Corporation | $55,900 | Wv Radio | $22,550 | |
American Electric Power | $55,750 | West Virginia Radio Corporation | $16,821 | |
Jackson Kelly PLLC | $50,825 | Polino Contracting | $15,500 | |
Drummond Company | $49,100 | Cleveland Brothers | $10,800 | |
Patriot Coal Corporation | $48,400 | American Financial Group | $10,200 | |
Boich Companies | $44,200 | Senate Majority Fund | $10,000 | |
Source: OpenSecrets [17] |
Source | Ranking | As of |
---|---|---|
The Cook Political Report [18] | Likely D | November 1, 2012 |
Sabato's Crystal Ball [19] | Safe D | November 5, 2012 |
Rothenberg Political Report [20] | Safe D | November 2, 2012 |
Real Clear Politics [21] | Likely D | November 5, 2012 |
Poll source | Date(s) administered | Sample size | Margin of error | Joe Manchin (D) | John Raese (R) | Other | Undecided |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Public Policy Polling [22] | January 20–23, 2011 | 1,105 | ±2.9% | 60% | 31% | — | 9% |
Public Policy Polling [23] | April 21–24, 2011 | 850 | ±3.4% | 61% | 29% | — | 10% |
Public Policy Polling [24] | September 1–4, 2011 | 708 | ±3.7% | 62% | 23% | — | 14% |
R.L. Repass [25] | April 25–28, 2012 | 410 | ±4.8% | 74% | 22% | — | 4% |
R.L. Repass [26] | August 22–25, 2012 | 401 | ±4.9% | 66% | 27% | — | 7% |
Poll source | Date(s) administered | Sample size | Margin of error | Joe Manchin (D) | Bill Maloney (R) | Other | Undecided |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Public Policy Polling [27] | September 30 – October 2, 2011 | 932 | ±3.2% | 60% | 29% | — | 11% |
Poll source | Date(s) administered | Sample size | Margin of error | Joe Manchin (D) | David McKinley (R) | Other | Undecided |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Public Policy Polling [22] | January 9–10, 2011 | 1,058 | ± | 53% | 41% | — | 3% |
Public Policy Polling [23] | April 21–24, 2011 | 850 | ±3.4% | 63% | 25% | — | 12% |
Public Policy Polling [24] | September 1–4, 2011 | 708 | ±3.7% | 60% | 24% | — | 16% |
Poll source | Date(s) administered | Sample size | Margin of error | Joe Manchin (D) | Shelley Moore Capito (R) | Other | Undecided |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Public Policy Polling [22] | January 20–23, 2011 | 1,105 | ±2.9% | 50% | 41% | — | 10% |
Public Policy Polling [23] | April 21–24, 2011 | 850 | ±3.4% | 48% | 40% | — | 12% |
Public Policy Polling [24] | September 1–4, 2011 | 708 | ±3.7% | 52% | 36% | — | 13% |
Public Policy Polling [27] | September 30 – October 2, 2011 | 932 | ±3.2% | 49% | 38% | — | 13% |
In spite of the Republicans winning every county in the presidential election, Manchin carried 52 of West Virginia's 55 counties. [28]
Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% | |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Democratic | Joe Manchin (incumbent) | 399,908 | 60.57% | +7.10% | |
Republican | John Raese | 240,787 | 36.47% | −6.93% | |
Mountain | Bob Henry Baber | 19,517 | 2.96% | +1.04% | |
Total votes | 660,212 | 100.00% | N/A | ||
Democratic hold |
Manchin won all 3 congressional districts, including two held by Republicans. [30]
District | Manchin | Raese | Representative |
---|---|---|---|
1st | 58.31% | 38.94% | David McKinley |
2nd | 58.48% | 38.2% | Shelley Moore Capito |
3rd | 65.42% | 31.82% | Nick Rahall |
Joseph Manchin III is an American politician and businessman serving as the senior United States senator from West Virginia, a seat he has held since 2010. Manchin was the 34th governor of West Virginia from 2005 to 2010 and the 27th secretary of state of West Virginia from 2001 to 2005. He became the state's senior U.S. senator when Jay Rockefeller left office in 2015 and was West Virginia's only congressional Democrat until 2024, when he registered as an independent. Before entering politics, Manchin helped found and was the president of Enersystems, a coal brokerage company his family owns and operates.
The 2006 United States Senate election in West Virginia was held November 7, 2006. Incumbent Democrat Robert Byrd won re-election to a ninth term. He was sworn in on January 3, 2007. However, he died in office on June 28, 2010, before the end of his term. This was Byrd's closest re-election.
From the time of the Great Depression through the 1990s, the politics of West Virginia were largely dominated by the Democratic Party. In the 2000 presidential election, George W. Bush claimed a surprise victory over Al Gore, with 52% of the vote; he won West Virginia again in 2004, with 56% of the vote. West Virginia is now a heavily Republican state, with John McCain winning the state in 2008, Mitt Romney in 2012 and Donald Trump in 2016 and 2020.
Earl Ray Tomblin is an American politician who served as the 35th governor of West Virginia from 2011 to 2017. A member of the Democratic Party, he previously served in the West Virginia Senate from 1980 to 2011 and as president of the West Virginia Senate from 1995 to 2011. Tomblin became acting governor in November 2010 following Joe Manchin's election to the U.S. Senate. He won a special election in October 2011 to fill the unexpired term ending on January 14, 2013, and was elected to a full term as governor in November 2012.
John Reeves Raese is an American businessman and perennial Republican Party candidate for political office in West Virginia. He lost campaigns to represent West Virginia in the United States Senate in 1984, 2006, 2010, and 2012. He was also defeated in the Republican primary in the election for Governor of West Virginia in 1988.
The 2012 United States Senate elections were held on November 6, 2012, with 33 of the 100 seats in the Senate, all Class 1 seats, being contested in regular elections whose winners would serve 6-year terms beginning January 3, 2013, with the 113th Congress. Democrats had 21 seats up for election, plus 1 Independent, and 1 Independent Democrat, while the Republicans only had 10 seats up for election. The presidential election, elections to the House of Representatives, elections for governors in 14 states and territories, and many state and local elections were also held on the same day.
The 2008 United States Senate election in West Virginia was held on November 4. Incumbent Senator Jay Rockefeller won re-election to a fifth term in a landslide, defeating Republican Jay Wolfe by a 27-point margin. Despite this overwhelming win, this remains the last time that a Democrat has won West Virginia's Class 2 U.S. Senate seat. In both of the two subsequent elections for the seat, Republicans have swept every single county.
The 2008 West Virginia gubernatorial election took place on November 4, 2008. Incumbent Governor Joe Manchin III was the Democratic nominee, challenged by Republican nominee Russ Weeks and Mountain Party candidate Jesse Johnson. Manchin won every county in the state and was reelected by the largest margin for any gubernatorial candidate in West Virginia's history. Manchin won by over 44%, even as Barack Obama, the Democratic presidential nominee, lost the state to John McCain in the presidential election. As of 2024, this is the last time that Doddridge County has voted for a Democratic candidate for statewide office.
West Virginia's 2012 general elections were held on November 6, 2012. Primary elections were held on May 8, 2012.
The 2008 United States presidential election in West Virginia took place on November 4, 2008, and was part of the 2008 United States presidential election. Voters chose 5 representatives, or electors to the Electoral College, who voted for president and vice president.
The 2010 United States Senate special election in West Virginia was held on November 2, 2010. Incumbent Democratic Senator Robert Byrd died in office on June 28, 2010. Democratic Governor Joe Manchin appointed Carte Goodwin to temporarily fill the vacancy. Goodwin pledged to not run for election to the seat in exchange for the appointment. This was the first open U.S. Senate seat in West Virginia since 1984 and the first in this seat since 1956. Manchin won the open seat and served out the remainder of Byrd's elected term, which ended on January 3, 2013.
The 2012 United States Senate election in Pennsylvania was held on November 6, 2012, alongside a presidential election, other elections to the United States Senate in other states, as well as elections to the United States House of Representatives and various state and local elections. Incumbent Democratic U.S. Senator Bob Casey, Jr. ran for and won re-election to a second term, defeating Republican nominee Tom Smith, and Libertarian nominee Rayburn Smith.
The 2011 West Virginia gubernatorial special election was a special election held on October 4, 2011 to fill the office of the West Virginia Governor, which became vacant upon the resignation of Joe Manchin, who resigned after he won a U.S. Senate special election. Lieutenant Governor and Senate President Earl Ray Tomblin, first in the line of succession to the Governorship, subsequently became acting governor. On January 18, 2011, the West Virginia Supreme Court of Appeals ruled that a special election for the Governorship must be held so a new governor can be in place by November 15, 2011, exactly one year after Manchin resigned. The primary election was held on May 14. Tomblin and Republican Bill Maloney won their respective primaries.
The 2012 United States presidential election in West Virginia took place on November 6, 2012, as part of the 2012 United States presidential election in which all 50 states plus the District of Columbia participated. West Virginia voters chose five electors to represent them in the Electoral College via a popular vote pitting incumbent Democratic President Barack Obama and his running mate, Vice President Joe Biden, against Republican challenger and former Massachusetts Governor Mitt Romney and his running mate, Congressman Paul Ryan.
The 2014 United States Senate election in West Virginia was held on November 4, 2014, to elect a member of the United States Senate to represent the State of West Virginia, concurrently with other elections to the United States Senate in other states and elections to the United States House of Representatives and various state and local elections. This election was the fifth consecutive even-number year in which a senate election was held in West Virginia after elections in 2006, 2008, 2010, and 2012.
The 2016 West Virginia gubernatorial election took place on November 8, 2016, to elect the Governor of West Virginia, concurrently with the 2016 U.S. presidential election, as well as elections to the United States Senate in other states and elections to the United States House of Representatives and various state and local elections. The primaries were held on May 10.
The 2018 United States Senate election in West Virginia took place on November 6, 2018, to elect a member of the United States Senate to represent the State of West Virginia, concurrently with other elections to the United States Senate, elections to the United States House of Representatives, and various state and local elections. This was one of ten Democratic-held Senate seats up for election in a state won by Donald Trump in the 2016 presidential election.
The 2020 West Virginia gubernatorial election was held on November 3, 2020, to elect the governor of West Virginia, concurrently with the 2020 U.S. presidential election, as well as elections to the United States Senate, elections to the United States House of Representatives and various state and local elections.
The 2024 United States Senate election in West Virginia will be held on November 5, 2024, to elect a member of the United States Senate to represent the State of West Virginia. The Democratic nominee is Wheeling mayor Glenn Elliott and the Republican nominee is Governor Jim Justice. The winner will succeed independent incumbent Joe Manchin, who is not seeking election to a third term. Primary elections took place on May 14, 2024.
The 2024 United States presidential election in California is scheduled to take place on Tuesday, November 5, 2024, as part of the 2024 United States elections in which all 50 states plus the District of Columbia will participate. California voters will choose electors to represent them in the Electoral College via a popular vote. California has 54 electoral votes in the Electoral College, the most in the country.
Official campaign websites