The Louisiana Democrat shares Manchin's position that the energy sector needs"more of everything"—more nuclear, hydropower, wind power, solar power, and reduced-emission fossil fuels. She believes that more and more leaders in the oil and gas industry have evolved to understand that their industry must become greener and be a part of climate change solutions and can make money in the process.
Two independents and four Republicans said they did not know whether they would support Manchin or Justice if the race came down to those two. Two Republicans and one independent said they would support Justice. One Republican said they would support Manchin. Six of the 10 also said they were worried about the state of West Virginia's coal industry, but no one named it as a top issue. However, five voters cited economic issues as their top concerns.
Having grown up and lived in West Virginia for most of his life, Workman said the state has traditionally been insulated from national politics. However, he noted that national political narratives now"operate on a very local level." As the relationship between party identification and cultural issues has grown, the national Democratic Party has fallen out of step with many in the state, particularly as energy has become a partisan focal point..