Joe Manchin was born and raised in Farmington, West Virginia, a small coal mining town where he learned West Virginia values like hard work, fairness, and family. His grandfather, “Papa Joe” was the town grocer, and his grandmother, “Mama Kay” was tireless in her service to those less fortunate. Watching both of them from a young age, Joe learned compassion and responsibility.

It’s those values that instilled in him the priorities he holds today: putting your differences aside and coming together to focus on commonsense solutions that actually help people, and – just like his grandfather in the grocery store – taking responsibility for yourself and helping others.

As Governor, Joe was proud that his administration cut taxes, increased teacher pay, improved services for seniors and the poor, and dramatically decreased the state’s debt, all while producing budget surplus after budget surplus. In six years of leading West Virginia, businesses invested more than $13 billion in the state, and we were recognized as a national leader in fiscal responsibility.

In the United States Senate, Joe’s top priority has been – and always will be – to stand up for West Virginia. He believes that the best way forward for West Virginia and for America is for Democrats and Republicans to put their political parties aside, and work together to do what’s best for the country.

When he’s not in Washington, DC, Joe enjoys spending time with his wife Gayle, family and friends at their home in West Virginia.