Raleigh, N.C. – If the election were held today, Robert Byrd’s U.S. Senate seat from West Virginia would be held by a Republican and someone other than Byrd for the first time in 52 years. Though Governor Joe Manchin is still very popular, with a stellar 59-32 approval rating, second among those PPP has measured this year to Louisiana’s Bobby Jindal, he is trailing Republican opponent John Raese, 43-46, among likely voters.