In January, Republicans will take
control of the state Legislature for the first time in decades. However, at
least one politician says hope should not be lost for Democrats if they want to
move the state forward.
“Let’s see what they do with it,”
Manchin said of the Republican majority. “The Democrats should be helping them
to be the best we can possibly be together for West Virginia
Having experienced partisan
politics in the nation’s capital, Manchin warns of how detrimental to the state
it can be.
“We can’t let this toxic, Washington toxic atmosphere infiltrate West Virginia
Whether as a state legislator,
governor or U.S. Senator, Manchin said that he has always tried to approach
politics down the middle and has found more good is accomplished this way
rather than when fighting over political affiliations.
If one looks past those
affiliations, they realize all parties just want to move the state forward in
their own way and working together creates the best version of that goal.
“The other side’s not all that
bad,” he said. “They have a different perspective. You’ve got to get your ideas
together, find the moderate and middle, move on and be able to govern. That’s
what it’s all about.”
Manchin’s advice to legislators who
now find themselves in the minority and new legislators from both parties is to
not worry about getting shut out as good policy will shine through to the
voters.
“If you have better ideas and
you’re out there and they don’t seem to be accepting those ideas, then
basically that will show through and the people will know who’s truly trying to
move West Virginia
The new Legislature will have the
opportunity to come together when the regular session begins January 14.
