Sen. Joe Manchin has selected longtime Democratic political strategist Chris Kofinis to serve as his chief of staff on Capitol Hill, a sign he’s already looking toward re-election two years from now. Manchin won a special election in West Virginia to serve the remainder of the late Sen. Robert Byrd’s term.

Kofinis, a frequent cable TV pundit, is best known for his role on the presidential campaigns of John Edwards in 2008 and Wesley Clark in 2004. He most recently was a consultant for McMahon Squier and Associates and he served as an adviser to Manchin’s Senate campaign. He worked as a communications adviser to the Democratic Governors Association during the most recent cycle.

In a release, Manchin lauded Kofinis’ experience and noted that he considers Kofinis a friend.

Roll Call Politics rates Manchin’s 2012 race as a Tossup.

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