State Democratic Party Chair Resigning to Lead Manchin's PAC

West Virginia Democratic party chair Larry Puccio is resigning to serve as the leader of U.S. Senator Joe Manchin’s political action committee.

According to a news release Thursday, Puccio will become chairman of Manchin’s Country Roads PAC. 

Federal Election Commission filings indicate that the Country Roads PAC contributed $26,000 to U.S. House candidates in West Virginia and Ohio during the 2014 election campaign. The group contributed $86,500 to U.S. Senate candidates from 19 states in that election cycle.

The Country Roads PAC was established in 2011 by Jack Rossi, with Manchin acting as its Leadership PAC Sponsor. As a former chief of staff to then-Governor Manchin, Puccio will serve as liaison to elected officials and political leaders. 

“From my time as Governor and now to my time in the Senate, Larry has always been a trusted advisor and someone who has always been connected to the political and legislative workings of West Virginia,” Manchin said in the release.

“Larry’s years of experience and dedication to the state of West Virginia will allow me to better serve the state as its senior Senator and stay connected to the issues that are affecting them.”

Puccio was asked by Fayette County Democrats to step down from his post following the November 2014 midterm election. The Democratic Party lost control of the West Virginia Legislature, as well as seats  in the U.S. House and Senate.

“I am honored to be able to continue serving the people of West Virginia and work with Senator Manchin,” said Puccio in the release.

“This new role as PAC Chairman will allow me to continue to build on the successes we had in the Governor’s office and build new ones in the Senate.”