NEW MARTINSVILLE, W.Va.—Labor Day marked the grand opening of a brand new facility in the Ohio Valley, a joint Democratic headquarters for Wetzel and Tyler counties.

U.S. Senator Joe Manchin was slated to be on hand but could not attend due to a death in the family.

In between the two major political party’s national conventions, Manchin is taking to his roots, starting a weeklong, statewide “West Virginia First” listening tour.

Even without Manchin’s presence at the headquarters grand opening, little luster was lost at Monday’s events.

There was audible enthusiasm inside the new facility. Local voters applauded patriotism on Labor Day and enthusiasm for the campaign season.

Many were just excited they now had a headquarters closer to home.

“This is the closest one. I had to come up here to get signs. I cannot find any signs in Tyler County," said Becky Hayes of Tyler County.

At the Republican National Convention last week and the Democratic National Convention this week, local representation has been existent, but scarce. That doesn't mean local politicians are taking a hands off approach to election season. They want constituents voting, based on the right messages.

"I hope folks can get beyond the negative ads. You're going to see an enormous amount of money spent by a lot of anonymous people behind groups that won't identify themselves saying horrible things about all kinds of people," said Sen. Jeff Kessler, D-W.Va.

As campaigning season catches fire beyond the Labor Day holiday, Monday’s events were about reaching out to voters, making them aware of local resources and venues as the time to hit the polls approaches.

A union labor rally and the Paden City Labor Day parade, also expecting Manchin on Monday, did go on without a hitch.