Following the 2024 election, West Virginia Independent Sen. Joe Manchin has called on newly elected lawmakers to prioritize the needs of voters who fall in the middle politically, emphasizing the importance of serving those who helped them secure their positions in Congress.
Republican Jim Justice succeeded Manchin after the latter announced his retirement, marking a significant gain for the GOP and contributing to their control of the chamber. In the House, the official determination of control may take a week or more. Currently, Republicans hold 208 seats while Democrats have 190, with either side requiring 218 seats for a majority.
Manchin highlighted the significance of swing areas in the election outcomes, stressing the power of voters in the middle. He urged incoming lawmakers to remember the constituents who supported them, noting that many of them won by appealing to reasonable and sensible individuals in the middle ground.
He emphasized, 'Remember how you got elected and who voted for you. It’s going to be the swing area, the middle of your district, that basically got you over the hump.'
Manchin's message underscores the importance of representing a diverse range of constituents and working towards bipartisan solutions that address the needs of all Americans. As the new lawmakers prepare to take office, his words serve as a reminder of the responsibility they have to serve the interests of the entire electorate.
