who won the 2010 special election. Democratic primary Candidates Sheirl Fletcher, former Republican State Delegate and Democratic candidate for the U.S. Senate in 2008 and 2010 Joe Manchin, incumbent U.S. senator Results General election Candidates Bob Henry Baber (Mountain), former mayor of Richwood and candidate for Governor in 2011 Joe Manchin (Democratic), incumbent U.S. Senator John Raese (Republican), businessman and perennial candidate Campaign Raese filed a rematch against Manchin, arguing that he now had more material to criticize Manchin for. One example is how Manchin lost his longtime endorsement from the organization West Virginians for Life because of his vote against defunding Planned Parenthood, the nation's largest abortion provider. Another example is how he is undecided about whether or not to support Obama's re-election campaign. Senior Obama campaign advisor David Axelrod commented in response, "His concern is about his own political well-being." In addition, he voted against U.S. Congressman Paul Ryan's Republican budget. Raese wrote an op-ed in the Charleston Gazette-Mail'', saying about Manchin, "Yes, he'll talk like a conservative and act like he's fiscally responsible to appeal to more moderate voters, but under that outward appearance of a lovable rube is the heart of a tax-and-spend liberal." Raese continued to make controversial statements. In April 2012, he equated smoking bans with Adolf Hitler's yellow badge. He said "in Monongalia County now, I have to put a huge sticker on my buildings to say this is a smoke-free environment. This is brought to you by the government of Monongalia County. Okay? Remember Hitler used to put Star of David on everybody’s lapel, remember that? Same thing." That same day, he referred to President Franklin D. Roosevelt as "Fidel Roosevelt." Raese didn't apologize for his statements on Hitler saying "I am not going to be intimidated by a bunch of bullshit. I'm not apologizing to anybody or any organization. It's my perfect right to make a speech about meaningful subject matters in this country." He also called rocker Ted Nugent a "patriot" for criticizing President Barack Obama. Fundraising Top contributors Top industries Predictions Polling Results In spite of the Republicans winning every county in the presidential election, Manchin carried 52 of West Virginia's 55 counties. See also 2012 United States Senate elections 2012 United States House of Representatives elections in West Virginia 2012 United States presidential election in West Virginia 2012 West Virginia gubernatorial election References External links Elections Division at