CHARLESTON, W.Va. — State Democratic Party Chairman Larry Puccio is leaving that role for a different one in politics.
Puccio has been named chairman of the Country Roads PAC, U.S. Senator Joe Manchin’s (D-W.Va.) political action committee.
In that role, according to information from Manchin’s office, Puccio will be working as a liaison to elected officials and other political leaders.
“There’s been a lot of discussion since the Nov. general election about the future of Puccio as the party chairman,” Hoppy Kercheval reported Thursday from the State Capitol.
“The results, of course, were disastrous for Democrats in West Virginia and some in the party wanted to replace Puccio, others were happy with his leadership and the direction the party was going.”
Puccio has history with Manchin. He first took over as chairman of the West Virginia Democratic Party in 2010 after previously serving as Chief of Staff in the Manchin Administration.
“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 a statement.
“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.”