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Manchin, Morrisey woo voters

CHARLESTON — With polls opening at 6:30 a.m. this morning across West Virginia, the two candidates for the high-profile U.S. Senate race spent Monday criss-crossing the state trying to woo every last undecided voter.

U.S. Sen. Joe Manchin, D-W.Va., is running for a second term after winning a special election for the seat in 2010 and winning a full six-year term in 2012. Republican state Attorney General Patrick Morrisey, who won election to another four-year term as attorney general in 2016, is looking to unseat Manchin.

The most recent polling has Manchin leading Morrisey by as much as six points. Emerson College conducted a poll between Oct. 28-31 with Manchin at 47 percent to Morrisey’s 42 percent. Research America conducted a poll Oct. 19-30 with Manchin at 45 percent and Morrisey at 40 percent. FiveThirtyEight.com rates the chance of a Republican win at 12.8 percent.

But Morrisey has a weapon in the form of presidential support. President Donald Trump has visited the state three times since August, including Nov. 2 at Huntington Tri-State Airport. Donald Trump, Jr. has also campaigned with Morrisey, including Monday morning in Beckley.

Later Monday morning, Morrisey attended a campaign rally at Foster Supply in Scott Depot. During the short stop, Morrisey pointed to his support by President Trump as a key reason to send him to the U.S. Senate.

“I keep hearing that West Virginians love the policies of our president,” Morrisey said. “Our president is doing great things for our country and great things for the state of West Virginia. I want to go to Washington to help this president. When President Trump wins, West Virginia wins.”

Morrisey said he was the best candidate to support the Trump agenda of middle-class tax cuts, stronger immigration limitations and decreased regulations. Firing back against a popular refrain by Manchin over Morrisey being from New Jersey, Morrisey said Manchin’s voting record more closely resembles a New Jersey liberal.

“I love West Virginia with all my heart,” Morrisey said. “When I look at Sen. Manchin’s voting record, it looks like he’s the guy with the New Jersey voting record.”

Morrisey also held campaign events Monday afternoon in Fairmont and Martinsburg

While Morrisey was on his way north, Manchin was on his way south to Charleston for the final stop of his Take Me Home Ride. Manchin, an avid motorcyclist, was joined by supporters on a ride around the state starting Sunday in Charleston. The riders traveled to Martinsburg Sunday evening, then made their way to Morgantown, Fairmont, and Bridgeport Monday before ending at Manchin’s campaign headquarters in downtown Charleston. Manchin was greeted by supporters all along the way.

“If they go out to vote as eager as they are to be on the side of the road when we go by, we’re in good shape then,” Manchin said.

Manchin is banking on voters continuing to put their trust in him. A popular legislator, secretary of state, and two-term governor, Manchin has positioned himself as the true protector of West Virginia values.

“It’s got to be all about our state. It’s not about me and it’s not about you. We’re all in it together,” Manchin said. “There is so much that needs fought for and so much on the line. I’ve never seen an election more important.”

Manchin, addressing President Trump’s active participation in the senate race, said it wasn’t enough to push Morrisey over the finish line.

“They haven’t camouflaged a thing,” Manchin said. “I know exactly what they want to do. Even the president coming here as many times as he has could not cover up or hide Patrick Morrisey’s record. He’s tried hard, but you can’t. There are so many differences between us and the things we want to do.”

Unofficial early and absentee voting turnout for the 2018 general election increased by 78.70 percent over 2014, the last comparable midterm election, according to data from the West Virginia Secretary of State’s Office. Approximately 183,205 voters cast an early vote or absentee ballot as of Nov. 5. Early voting ended Nov. 3.

While more registered Democratic voters cast ballots so far, 76.20 percent more Republicans cast ballots this year than 2014, compared to a 55.06 percent increase in Democratic turnout between 2018 and 2014. Those registered as unaffiliated or as a minor party saw the largest increase in turnout. When including the Libertarian Party, which did not become one of West Virginia’s four major parties until after 2014, the unaffiliated/other category saw their turnout increase by 158.13 percent over 2014 turnout.

Polls close today at 7:30 p.m.

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