Last night’s Democratic primary revealed just how deep Joe Manchin’s problems run in West Virginia, as his unknown, underfunded challenger took more than 30% of the vote against the universally known career politician.
Manchin received just 69.8% of the vote against Paula Jean Swearengin, a political novice running on an anti-coal platform. This showing is a marked decline from his support in 2012, when Manchin received almost 80% of the Democratic primary vote. Even more distressing for Manchin is the decline in the number of votes he received. Manchin got 52,302 fewer votes this year than in his last primary, even while 47,710 more votes were cast in the Republican primary than in 2012. And compared to the 2014 midterm, Republican turnout was up 61% yesterday, compared to just a 14% increase for Democrats.
“Last night’s primary results make it clearer than ever that West Virginians are fed up with Joe Manchin,” said NRSC Spokesman Bob Salera. “With a shrinking base and an electorate that is increasingly hostile to the Democratic Party, Joe Manchin is in deep trouble.”