In an unexpected twist, sources close to Senator Joe Manchin have revealed that the influential Democrat is being encouraged to run for governor in West Virginia. According to two sources familiar with the matter, these calls for Manchin's candidacy are coming from Republican figures who oppose the GOP nominee for governor, Patrick Morrisey. It is reported that at least 20 Republicans with significant financial resources have reached out to Manchin, praising his previous tenure as governor from 2005 to 2010.

While Manchin has not made a firm decision, he has not dismissed the conversations either. The senator, known for his pivotal swing votes, had previously declared that he would not seek re-election to his U.S. Senate seat. Additionally, he briefly entertained the possibility of running as a third-party presidential candidate before ultimately opting against it.

However, West Virginia's primary election last week named Huntington Mayor Steve Williams as the sole Democratic candidate for governor, who would go on to face Morrisey in the general election. When questioned by national reporters about the scenario, Manchin affirmed his support for Williams, stating, "Steve's our guy." Nonetheless, he also acknowledged the possibility of unforeseen developments, saying, "If something's come up that I don't know about, we'll find out."

The state Republican Party, as well as the National Republican Governors Association, have both expressed their unwavering support for Morrisey's campaign. The WVGOP chairman, Matt Herridge, underscored the party's unity, affirming that West Virginians were eager to elect Morrisey as their conservative voice in the Governor's mansion. Courtney Alexander, national press secretary for the Republican Governors Association, echoed these sentiments, emphasizing that Morrisey was the only conservative candidate on the ballot who would resist the Biden Administration's agenda.

However, fundraising and statewide name recognition pose challenges for Mayor Williams leading up to the November election. Campaign finance filings reveal that Williams currently has $30,418 cash on hand, while Morrisey's campaign boasts $685,276. This financial disparity could potentially influence the race's dynamics.

A potential scenario being considered is the possibility of conducting a poll in a few weeks to gauge Williams' viability as a candidate. If the results indicate a lack of popular support, it may open the door for Williams to gracefully step aside and pave the way for Manchin to run. Notably, no discussions regarding this scenario have taken place with Williams.

In a recent telephone interview, Mayor Williams acknowledged the speculation but regarded it as highly unlikely. He emphasized that Manchin had not hinted at any such discussions and reaffirmed his commitment to support Williams' campaign, citing their longstanding friendship.

While some view these reports as wishful thinking on the part of Republicans deeply opposed to Morrisey, state Democratic Party spokesman Mike Plante acknowledged the potential impact this discontent could have on Morrisey's campaign. Plante characterized the rumors as a longshot and suggested that they could be a cause for concern for the GOP nominee.

Patrick Morrisey, a three-term attorney general, previously faced off against Manchin in the 2018 race for U.S. Senate, losing by a narrow margin. In the recent governor's primary race, Morrisey emerged as the winner with 33% of the vote, defeating other notable contenders.

Morrisey's campaign, showcasing a sense of unity within the Republican party, pointed to a recent social media post where he highlighted positive interactions with fellow candidates. He expressed gratitude for their graciousness and emphasized their shared goal of electing Republicans in November.

The upcoming months will undoubtedly bring forth interesting developments as West Virginia's gubernatorial race continues to unfold. As the possibility of Manchin's candidacy swirls in political discourse, all eyes remain on the state's political landscape.