James Myers of OAN
Friday, May 31, 2024 10:28 AM
Sen. Joe Manchin of West Virginia, a longtime Democrat, announced he was leaving the Democratic party and registering as an independent.
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Manchin, who is not seeking reelection to the Senate, announced in a news release Friday his intention to change party affiliation at the West Virginia Capitol.
“From my first day in office in 1982, I have always been focused on doing what’s best for our state and our country, regardless of party or politics. Since I’ve served in public office, I’ve always prided myself on my dedication to common sense, bipartisanship and the desire to bring people together. That’s who I am and that will always be who I am. I have never seen America through a partisan lens,” Manchin said.
“But since becoming a U.S. Senator in 2010, I have watched as both Democrats and Republicans left West Virginia and our country behind for partisan extremism, putting our democracy at risk. Today, our politics are fractured, with neither party willing to compromise and find common ground. To stay true to myself and my commitment to putting country above party, I have decided to register as an Independent and continue to fight for America’s decent majority.”
The decision came after reports surfaced that moderate Republicans unhappy with the GOP nominee, Attorney General Patrick Morrisey of Virginia, had encouraged Manchin to run for governor of the Mountain State.
At the time, Manchin downplayed the rumors but said he wouldn’t deny them outright, and said Huntington Mayor Steve Williams, the Democratic candidate, was a good friend.
“I heard the rumors this morning. I’ve been rooting for my friend Steve Williams. We’ve known each other for 40 years and I’ve got him involved. He’s a good guy. I don’t know what’s going on. So I’m basically going to wait until I get home,” Manchin said.
Manchin’s announcement leaves many questions unanswered: He did not say whether he would continue to meet with Democrats in the Senate, despite their slim majority, and he has not yet said whether he will run for governor in the near future.
“It’s true that Joe Manchin may run again for Governor of West Virginia,” wrote Hoppy Kercheval, one of the state’s most prominent media figures and news anchors.
The Democratic primary is over, so Manchin cannot run for governor as a Democrat, but his surprise decision to become an independent opens the door for him to run for governor and even for reelection to the Senate.
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