Senator Joe Manchin (D-W.Va.) announced on Friday that he is leaving the Democratic Party and has registered as an “independent with no party affiliation.”
In a statement obtained by Fox News, Manchin said, “From my first day in public service in 1982, I have always focused on doing what’s best for my state and my country, without regard to party or politics.”
The senator, who is not running in this year’s election, added, “Throughout my days in elected office, I have always been proud of my commitment to common sense, bipartisanship and my desire to bring people together. It’s who I am. It’s who I will always be. I have never seen America through a partisan lens.”
Manchin also shared a picture on Friday of his independent registration in a post on X, formerly Twitter. The West Virginia senator said his “commitment” to bring the country together was what ultimately motivated him to officially register “as an independent with no party affiliation.”
USA Today reported that Manchin’s office confirmed that the former Democratic senator will continue to caucus with the Democratic Party as an independent, which will allow the Democratic Party to retain its majority in the U.S. Senate. By continuing to caucus with the Democratic Party, Manchin will also remain the chairman of the Senate’s Energy and Natural Resources Committee.
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While there have been speculations that Manchin could consider running for governor of West Virginia, the senator recently indicated that he will not run in this year’s gubernatorial election and will instead support Steve Williams, the Democratic nominee for governor.
“He’s been a friend of mine for 40 years and we’ve worked together,” Manchin said on Wednesday. “I know how good he is, I know how competent he is, and I know how hard he’ll work.”
This was a breaking news story. The details were periodically updated as more information became available.
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