Sen. Manchin has Competition in Primary Election - Beckley, Bluefield & Lewisburg News, Weather, Sports

Sen. Manchin has Competition in Primary Election

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Eighteen months after being elected to fill the remainder of the term of the late Robert C. Byrd, U.S. Sen. Joe Manchin's (D-W.Va.) performance is up for review when he takes on former Monongalia County legislator Sheirl Fletcher in next Tuesday's Democratic primary.
    
Manchin has come under recent scrutiny about his party loyalty, in part for saying he's not sure whether he'll vote for President Barack Obama or presumptive Republican nominee Mitt Romney in November.
    
Fletcher, a former Republican, says she's skeptical of Manchin's allegiance and touts herself as a "true Democrat."
    
Manchin says no matter how people view him, he's not giving in to criticism. He calls himself "a true West Virginia Democrat" and believes he's looking out for the future of the state's residents, especially children.