FAIRMONT, W.Va. – U.S. Senator Joe Manchin cast an early ballot for the November 8 election in Fairmont Tuesday.
At the door of the J. Harper Meredith Building, Manchin wasted no time in addressing recent politically-related violent attacks.
“This violence we see in our society today, that’s not where you cure the problems that you disagree with in the political arena,” Manchin said. “This is where you do it, in the polling place.”
Manchin said every vote counts and represents an important voice, but when the election has concluded we’re all American.
“In elections, people support you, people that don’t support you and you go through the process and even people that run against you,” Manchin said. ” Those are all people you’re still going to represent. The only thing that is personal is my country and my family.”
The senator defended his vote for the Inflation Reduction Act and said his decisions are never based in politics. Manchin said his decisions are based in helping West Virginia be a better place to work and raise a family.
“There should be a rational reason why I support something or don’t,” Manchin said. “You might disagree with it, but at least I want you to walk away and say,” I don’t agree with that, but at least I understand how he made that decision.”
Early voting remains available through Saturday, November 5.