West Virginia Sen. Joe Manchin, who has spent his entire decades-long political career as a Democrat, said Friday he is leaving the party and registering as an independent, fueling speculation that he may seek another Senate term or run for governor this fall.
“To stay true to myself and to put country before party, I have decided to register as an independent with no party affiliation and continue to fight for America’s vulnerable majority,” Manchin said.
Mancini’s move came first informed by longtime West Virginia radio host Hoppy Kercheval.
Last November, Manchin announced that he would not seek a third term in 2024.
According to the secretary of state, the deadline for an independent to register to run in West Virginia this year is Aug. 1.
Manchin, 76, served as governor of West Virginia from 2005 to 2010, winning a special election to fill the Senate seat left vacant by the death of legendary Democrat Robert Byrd. Manchin won a full term in the Senate in 2012 and a second term in 2018.
But he won by just over 20,000 votes, or 3 percentage points, over Republican state Attorney General Patrick Morrisey as the state turned ruby red in 2016 with the rise of Donald Trump. In 2020, Trump captured about 70%. Voting in West Virginia.
Earlier this month, Trump-backed incumbent Gov. Jim Justice won the Republican Senate nomination and is favored to succeed Manchin in the fall. But Mancini’s surprise move could throw that race into disarray if he decides to run for re-election as an independent.
A more likely scenario is Manchin seeking his old job as governor — a potential race that would pit him against GOP candidate Morrisey as well as Democratic candidate Huntington Mayor Steve Williams.
Manchin would have until June 1 to switch party affiliations if he is considering an independent bid for either office; West Virginia law allows the secretary of state to refuse to endorse a candidate if he or she is registered to vote in another party within 60 days of filing for nomination.
Bridget Bowman contributed.