An investigation into the administration of Joe Manchin (shown) is complicating his Senate race. Federal probe muddies W.Va. race

An ongoing federal investigation into West Virginia Gov. Joe Manchin’s administration is further complicating his unexpectedly competitive campaign for Senate.

The trouble began when the governor’s office confirmed the administration had received two federal subpoenas just weeks after Manchin, the state’s popular two-term governor, announced his bid in July for the Senate seat left vacant by the death of Democratic Sen. Robert Byrd.


While the governor’s office has kept mum on the details of the subpoenas served on the Department of Administration and the Division of Highways, a special assistant attorney general assigned to the case confirmed to a local news station Wednesday that the investigation is focused on a multimillion- dollar highway project in Manchin’s hometown of Fairmont.

Local news reports have cited anonymous sources as saying that Manchin’s former chief of staff, state Democratic Party Chairman Larry Puccio, is involved in the probe. Puccio, a real estate agent and appraiser, is also from Fairmont.

When questioned Thursday about the accuracy of the news reports, Puccio directed POLITICO to an Aug. 6 statement from the governor’s office.

“We have not been told that the governor or any member of the governor’s administration, past or present, is under investigation or the target of an investigation,” the statement asserted.

West Virginia Republicans have criticized Manchin’s office for failing to release more information on the subpoenas and called out Puccio for not being more forthcoming with the media. State GOP Chairman Mike Stuart said “the people have a right to know” about the two Democrats.

The timing couldn’t be worse for the Manchin campaign. The increased focus on the investigation comes as polls show the Senate race between Manchin and the Republican nominee, mining company owner John Raese, tightening.

A Public Policy Polling survey released Tuesday showed Raese leading Manchin, 46 percent to 43 percent — the first public poll to show Raese on top. One day earlier, a Rasmussen Reports survey showed Manchin leading Raese, 50 percent to 43 percent.

“Everything, I think, is speculation as to the governor himself at this point,” said George Carenbauer, a Democratic attorney and former state party chairman. “If something that would happen that would indicate he was involved, obviously that would have an impact on his election. But at this point, I don’t see much impact.”

The winner of the Nov. 2 election will serve out the remaining two years of Byrd’s term. There will be another election in November 2012 for a full six-year term.