A. James Manchin

Manchin was born in Farmington, West Virginia to Kathleen and Joseph Manchin I. His parents were of Italian descent.[3] He was educated in the schools of Marion County and was elected to the West Virginia House of Delegates in 1948 at age 21, but was defeated for re-election in 1950.[4]

In 1951, Manchin received his bachelor's degree in political science and sociology from West Virginia University.[4] In 1953, he received his teaching certification from Fairmont State College.[4] He spent most of the 1950s working as a high school teacher and wrestling coach.[5] In 1962, he received his master's degree in education from West Virginia University.[4]

In 1961, President John F. Kennedy appointed Manchin to serve as state director of the Farmers Home Administration and in 1970 he was appointed special assistant to the National Administrator of the Farmers Home Administration.[6]

In 1972, he ran for West Virginia Secretary of State when incumbent Jay Rockefeller retired to run for governor. In the seven-candidate Democratic primary, he finished second with 18% of the vote, behind Thomas Winner who won with a plurality of 20% of the vote.[7] After the election, Governor Arch A. Moore Jr. in 1973 appointed him to direct the Rehabilitation Environmental Action Program (REAP), a successful effort which rid the State of more than 100,000 junked cars[5] as well as numerous appliances. He would visit schools and ask students for help by joining his “REAP Regiment.”[8][9]

In 1976, Manchin ran again for Secretary of State and defeated incumbent Republican James R. McCartney 55%–45%.[10] In 1980, he won re-election with 71% of the vote.[11]

Elected State Treasurer in 1984, he created the Teddi Program, which brought 28,000 new jobs to West Virginia.[5] He was impeached by the House of Delegates on March 30, 1989, amid a controversy over bad investments that lost the state $279 million mainly during the time period between April and June 1987.[12] The impeachment resolution blamed Manchin for negligence in delegating and supervising the investment fund, making improper investments and covering up losses.[13]

Though he initially vowed to stay in office, conviction by the Senate would have meant losing his eligibility to run for office again, and could have cost him his pension.[13] He resigned before his impeachment trial before the State Senate was completed.

Manchin was married to Stella Machel Petros and had three children. One of his sons, Mark, is Harrison County, West Virginia Superintendent of Schools.[15] A Roman Catholic, A. James Manchin served as a lector at his church.[5]

• A. James Manchin at The Political Graveyard
• Rehabilitation Environmental Action Program (REAP)