Manchin ponders becoming an independent.
Sen. Joe Manchin Considering Becoming an Independent Ahead of 2024 Election
In a recent local radio interview, Sen. Joe Manchin (D-WV) revealed that he has been seriously contemplating leaving the Democratic Party before the 2024 election. This statement marks one of his strongest indications yet of a potential departure.
“I would think very seriously about that. I’ve been thinking about that for quite some time. I haven’t made any decisions,” Manchin shared with West Virginia radio host Hoppy Kercheval. “I want to make sure that my voice is truly an independent voice.”
Manchin has been keeping the political world on the edge of their seats by withholding his plans for 2024. The three-term senator has even flirted with the idea of running for president, including the possibility of a third-party run with No Labels.
“The brand has become so bad — the D brand and R brand. In West Virginia, the D brand because it’s [the] national brand. It’s not the Democrats in West Virginia, it’s the Democrats in Washington,” Manchin explained. “You’ve heard me say a million times I’m not a Washington Democrat.”
If Manchin decides to run for re-election in West Virginia, it will undoubtedly be one of the most closely watched Senate races in the country. Despite the state’s deep red leanings, Manchin has managed to hold onto his seat since 2010, consistently defeating Republican opponents. However, Republican strategists see West Virginia as a prime opportunity for a pickup in this cycle, given former President Donald Trump’s strong support in the state.
A recent poll conducted by the East Carolina University Center for Survey Research in May showed Manchin trailing behind Gov. Jim Justice (R-WV) by 22 points in a potential Senate matchup. Justice will first have to face off against Rep. Alex Mooney (R-WV) in the GOP primary race.
If Manchin were to become an independent and continue caucusing with Democrats, the party would still maintain a 51-49 majority in the chamber. However, if he were to leave the party and not caucus with Democrats, he would lose his chairmanship of the Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee.
“When I do speak, I want to be able to speak honestly about basically the extremes of the Democrat and Republican Party that’s harming our nation,” Manchin emphasized during the interview.
Over the past couple of years, Manchin has occasionally crossed party lines to oppose legislation or block White House appointees, causing some friction with the Biden administration. He has consistently stood against efforts to eliminate the filibuster, which would make it easier for Democrats to pass legislation. While he did block President Biden’s “Build Back Better” social spending agenda, he eventually agreed to a more limited deal known as the Inflation Reduction Act, which included new spending on climate and healthcare, as well as tax increases on companies.
Despite frustrating progressive priorities, Manchin remains the sole Democrat holding high office in West Virginia and continues to be a crucial vote for party leadership in the Senate. If he were to become an independent, he would join fellow centrist Sen. Kyrsten Sinema (I-AZ), who announced her departure from the Democratic Party in December 2022. Sens. Bernie Sanders (I-VT) and Angus King (I-ME) also serve as independents in the Senate but caucus with Democrats.
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