Joe Manchin announces that he will not seek re-election to the Senate in 2024
Sen. Joe Manchin (D-WV) announced Thursday that he will not seek re-election to the Senate in 2024, but kept the door open to a possible White House run.
The lawmaker revealed his decision with a video posted on X, formerly known as Twitter, in which Manchin said he believed he had “accomplished” what he set out to do for West Virginia.
“I have made one of the most difficult decisions of my life and decided that I will not run for re-election to the United States Senate,” Manchin said in the video.
To the West Virginians who have trusted me and fought side by side to improve our state: it has been the honor of my life to serve you. Thank you. My statement about my political future: pic.twitter.com/dz8JuXAyTL
– Senator Joe Manchin (@Sen_JoeManchin) November 9, 2023
“But what I will do is travel the country and talk to see if there is interest in creating a movement to mobilize the media and unite Americans,” he added.
With Manchin withdrawing, Republicans could be on track to pick up a seat in the Senate, which is closely controlled by Democrats.
Manchin faced a strong rival: the Republican governor of West Virginia, Jim Justice, who in a hypothetical showdown He defeated the incumbent by 13 points, according to an Emerson College poll in early October. Justice still faces a Republican primary in which Rep. Alex Mooney (R-WV) is also running.
Over the past few months, Manchin has lamented the level of division across America that has left people with “common sense” “politically homeless.” In August, he said he would “think very seriously” about a break with the Democratic Party.
Manchin has hinted for some time that he was open to the idea of a third-party campaign for the White House in 2024. And there has been speculation that Manchin and former Utah Republican Gov. John Huntsman could team up after they appeared together for a No. Tags town hall in July.
No Labels launched a statement Thursday praised Manchin as a “great leader” in the Senate and an ally. The group also said it is still “gathering opinions” for a possible “Unidad” presidential bid and plans to make a decision in early 2024.
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Manchin has held public office in West Virginia, including as governor, or represented the state in Congress since the early 1980s.
“To the West Virginians who have trusted me and fought side by side to improve our state: it has been the honor of my life to serve you. Thank you,” he said in a post to X.
