One of only three Democratic Senate freshmen, Joe Manchin defeated Republican candidate John Raese for the open seat previously held by Democrat Carte Goodwin. Senator Goodman was appointed to the seat in July after the death of long-serving Sen. Robert Byrd. After holding various West Virginia leadership positions, Mr. Manchin has served as governor of the state since 2005. He is endorsed by the West Virginia Coal Association, the National Rifle Association, and United Mine Workers of America.
Jonathan Ernst/Reuters
