...in my humble opinion, a race to replace manchin will depend on which candidate can show the voters of W.V. a clear path to also replacing the dying coal industry with a stronger, state-wide 'new energy' industry.

Manchin had a golden opportunity to create high-paying jobs and a strong state economy based on the benefits of both the Build Back Better plan AND the Inflation Reduction Act.

He was in a very strong position to make W.V. a leader in the new energy industry but he betrayed his state by instead protecting his own little scrap coal business and pandering to his fossil fuel industry masters.

I don't know WV politics, but there are probably enough people there fed up with the GOOPers to make a decent run for it. Especially if you get a Fetterman-style Dem in the mix.