Democratic Senator Joe Manchin III of West Virginia has changed his party registration to independent, fueling speculation about his political future. The centrist senator cited his commitment to bridging political divides as the primary reason for his decision.
“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,” said Manchin. “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.”
“However, since becoming a United States Senator in 2010, I have seen both the Democrat and Republican parties leave West Virginia and our country behind for partisan extremism while jeopardizing our democracy,” said Manchin. “Today, our national politics are broken and neither party is willing to compromise to find common ground. To stay true to myself and remain committed to put country before party, I have decided to register as an independent with no party affiliation and continue to fight for America’s sensible majority.”
“My commitment to do everything I can to bring our country together has led me to register as an independent with no party affiliation,” Manchin wrote on social media.
Manchin did not immediately disclose his future political plans. However, the move leaves open the possibility of reconsidering his decision not to seek reelection or running for governor, a position he previously held.
August 1 is the deadline for independent candidates to file for office in West Virginia. Manchin was facing a Saturday deadline to register as an independent and still have a chance to file as an independent candidate this election.
In a statement released after his registration change at the West Virginia State Capitol, Manchin emphasized his longstanding focus on bipartisan governance.
“Senator Joe Manchin is a coal baron who put his financial interests in the pollution industry ahead of environmental regulations and climate change initiatives, without concerns about potential conflicts of interest of the life of people on this planet,” said Lisa McCormick, a progressive New Jersey Democrat. “Manchin’s defense of coal undermines efforts to combat climate change, harms public health, and stalls progress toward sustainable energy solutions, which is not protecting the economic interests of his state but destroying our planet’s capacity to sustain life.”
“Senator Joe Manchin has not been a Democrat for a very long time,” said McCormick. “He is a greedy, stupid cretin who stands among the fossil fuel profiteers who should be prosecuted for filicide.”
Manchin declined to call on Sen. Bob Menendez to step down following his sensational federal indictment on bribery and corruption charges.
“This is between the people of New Jersey and Sen. Bob Menendez,” said Manchin.
His sentiment represents a modest departure from nearly two dozen Democratic senators who called for Menendez to resign following his historic second indictment.
In November 2023, Manchin announced he would not seek another Senate term, a decision that seemed to favor a Republican pickup in the solidly red state. The GOP nominee for the seat is the current governor, Jim Justice.
For months, Manchin entertained the idea of running for president as an independent or third-party candidate, raising concerns among Democrats bracing for a close rematch between President Joe Biden and former President Donald Trump.
However, in February, Manchin declared he would not be involved in a presidential run this year.
Recent weeks have seen increased speculation that Manchin might pursue a return to the governor’s office, although he reportedly stated he would not enter the race, expressing support for Democratic nominee Steve Williams.
Should Manchin decide to run for the Senate again, he could present a formidable challenge in a race currently leaning toward the GOP. In March, Senate Majority Leader Charles E. Schumer discussed the possibility that he may seek reelection as an independent, but Manchin said he did not anticipate doing so.
Manchin’s departure from the Democratic Party underscores his frustration with the increasing partisanship in Congress.
“Today, our national politics are broken and neither party is willing to compromise to find common ground,” Manchin reiterated in his statement.
The political landscape in West Virginia has evolved significantly during Manchin’s tenure. In January 2017, 44% of registered voters in the state were Democrats, compared to 31% Republicans and 21% with no party affiliation. As of April 2024, those numbers have nearly reversed, with 30% registered as Democrats, 40% as Republicans, and 25% with no party affiliation.
Despite Democrats not winning a presidential election in West Virginia since 1996, and the state being the second most Republican according to the Cook Partisan Voting Index, registered Republicans have only outnumbered Democrats since February 2021.
Manchin joins three other U.S. Senators who identify as independents: Bernie Sanders (Vt.), Angus King (Maine), and Kyrsten Sinema (Ariz.), all of whom caucus with Democrats.
A spokesperson for Manchin confirmed he would continue to caucus with Democrats.