MORGANTOWN, W.Va. – Sen. Joe Manchin, DW.Va., announced Friday that he is not running for president after spending months debating a proposal that would derail his 2024 campaign.
“I will not run for a third-party candidate. I will not participate in the presidential election,” Manchin said during his speech. “I will be involved in ensuring that we secure a president with the knowledge and passion and ability to bring this country together.”
Manchin said a third party could be credible down the road, but a bid this year would be “very difficult.” He added that he didn’t want to be a “deal breaker” or a “spoiler.”
“I just don’t think it’s the right time,” Manchin said. “We’re in a real tumult here that could go either way. Democracy is at stake right now.”
Manchin, 76, said this last November would not seek re-election running for his Senate seat this year has led to speculation that he will run for the White House as an independent or a third-party candidate.
The centrist senator has also appeared at events hosted by No Labels, a political group trying to organize a bipartisan, third-party presidential ticket.
On Thursday, Manchin refused to rule out a White House nomination, citing Sen. Mitt Romney, R-Utah, and former Sen. Rob Portman, R-Ohio. potential running mates.
Democrats feared that Manchin’s nomination would pull back votes from President Joe Biden and boost former President Donald Trump, the Republican front-runner in the 2024 general election.
This is a breaking story that will be updated.