Governor's Web Site
State Web Site

After attending West Virginia University on a football scholarship, Manchin became a successful businessman. As a member of the state legislature from 1982 to 1996, he worked to improve schools, protect veterans and senior citizens, and create jobs. As secretary of state from 2000 to 2004, the office became known for providing excellent customer service. In addition, its SHARES program promoted democracy to all schoolchildren and registered 42,000 high school students to vote, causing the 2004 general election to see the highest number of voters since 1972. Manchin also served from 2000 to 2004 as president of his local Marion County Rescue Squad. Elected governor in 2005, Manchin is taking responsibility for improving the economic climate in West Virginia to retain and create good paying jobs with health care benefits for the state's workforce, as well as to reduce the state’s long-term debt. He is also committed to ensuring a seamless education system, providing prescription drug assistance for seniors, and strengthening the support structure for veterans.

Under Manchin’s leadership, West Virginia has become "open for business." Working with the legislature, he has fixed the state's workers' compensation system, instituted insurance reforms, established the first comprehensive teacher pay package in more than 15 years, decreased the state's debt, strengthened ethics laws, and reduced the food tax. Manchin has become an active leader on the national scene. He serves as chairman of the Southern States Energy Board, vice-chair and chair-elect for 2008 of the Democratic Governors Association and chair-elect of the Southern Governors’ Association. Manchin is an avid pilot, outdoorsman, hunter, fisherman, and motorcyclist.

He is married to the former Gayle Conelly. They are the parents of three children and the proud grandparents of six children.