Largest WV paper declines to endorse Manchin - Beckley, Bluefield & Lewisburg News, Weather, Sports

Largest WV paper declines to endorse Manchin

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U.S. Sen. Joe Manchin is heading into the May 8 primary without the support of West Virginia's largest newspaper.

The Charleston Gazette endorsed the Democrat during the 2010 special primary and general elections. But a Wednesday editorial leaves it up to readers whether to vote for him this time.

The editorial says Manchin doesn't support some of his party's core values, making him at times a Democrat in name only.

The newspaper also notes that Manchin won't say whether he'll back President Barack Obama, the top of his party's ticket.

But the editorial says that the former governor has no worthy opponent from either party and will probably win re-election. Former state legislator Sheirl Fletcher is Manchin's primary challenger. Republican John Raese is seeking a rematch in November.

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