Sen. Joe Manchin (D-West Virginia) has finally made a break. The West Virginia senator announced Friday that he was leaving the Democratic Party, a long-rumored move for the retiring senator.
“I’ve decided to register as an Independent because of my commitment to doing all I can to bring our country together,” Manchin posted on X.
I registered as an Independent because I am committed to doing all I can to bring our country together. pic.twitter.com/tvMB2N87AW
— Senator Joe Manchin (@Sen_JoeManchin) May 31, 2024
Manchin’s party affiliation may not lead to any changes to his governing style, as he reportedly plans to continue meeting with Democrats along with three other independents.
Sens. Kyrsten Sinema (Ind., Arizona) and Angus King (Ind., Maine) also describe themselves as moderates, while Sen. Bernie Sanders (Ind., New Hampshire) has used his progressive platforms to fuel major fundraising efforts and two presidential bids.
According to Spocks, Manchin plans to continue meeting with Democrats, which will allow him to keep his committee seat. https://t.co/NsU9UpMZpS
— Andrew Desiderio (@AndrewDesiderio) May 31, 2024
Continuing to meet with Democrats would allow Manchin to continue as chairman of the Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee.
But Manchin’s announcement, made less than 24 hours after a Manhattan jury found former President Donald Trump guilty on 34 counts of falsifying business records, has sparked speculation about his next move.
Manchin may run for a third term as an independent. Candidates running for the West Virginia Senate elections must declare party membership by June 1 in order to run under that party’s banner in November, according to reports. Candidates must declare their intention to run by August 1.
No explanation yet, but candidates who register to run by August 1st and want to be an I candidate must be a member of a political party or an independent by June 1st.
— Hoppy Kercheval (@HoppyKercheval) May 31, 2024
Former West Virginia Gov. Jim Justice, a Democrat, is the Republican candidate for the Senate seat Manchin will vacate and won a fierce primary by a landslide. Justice will be a formidable opponent for Manchin, who served as governor as a Democrat even as West Virginia has leaned heavily Republican.
Manchin has also hinted at a possible presidential run, criticizing President Joe Biden for being hostile to U.S. energy and refusing to solve the border crisis “by himself,” and has previously voiced a willingness to run as a “no label” candidate, especially if Biden suffers a “health scare.”
However, Manchin announced in February that he would not pursue a third-party candidacy and would not be involved in the presidential election.
There is very little room for Manchin, or anyone else, to win as a third party or independent. The dust has yet to die down after the Manhattan jury’s crucial verdict, but Trump’s massive fundraising in the hours since — overwhelming access to Republican online fundraising platforms shut down Thursday evening — suggests he could consolidate or even expand his support.
RELATED — Manchin: Biden lacks knowledge, capability or ability to unite the country
Bradley Jay is Capitol Hill correspondent for Breitbart News. Follow him on X/Twitter. translation:.
