The senator from West Virginia declared on Thursday that he would not pursue another term in the Senate.
He expressed in a video on X, "When America is at her best, we get things done by putting country before party, working across the aisle, and finding common ground. Many times this approach has landed me in hot water, but the fight to unite has been well worth it."
He continued, "After months of deliberation and long conversation with my family, I believe in my heart of hearts that I've accomplished what I set out to do for West Virginia. I've made one of the toughest decisions of my life and decided that I will not be running for re-election to the United States Senate."
To the West Virginians who have put their trust in me and fought side by side to make our state better – it has been an honor of my life to serve you. Thank you. My statement on my political future: pic.twitter.com/dz8JuXAyTL
— Senator Joe Manchin (@Sen_JoeManchin) November 9, 2023
The senator revealed his plans to shift his efforts toward a national journey aimed at assessing "interest in creating a movement to mobilize the middle and bring Americans together," hinting at a potential independent bid for the presidency.
He expressed his gratitude, stating, "To the West Virginians who have put their trust in me and fought side by side to make our state better – it has been an honor of my life to serve you. Thank you."
Further, he voiced his concern over the stark "divide" plaguing the two major political parties in the United States, noting the exhaustion felt by the populace due to relentless partisan conflicts. He maintained that Americans are united by shared ideals such as "family, freedom, democracy, dignity and a belief that together we can overcome any challenge."
He finished his remarks with a blessing, "May God bless America, the great state of West Virginia, and each and every one of you."
Identified by a nonprofit organization as the most bipartisan senator, Manchin's moderate stance and sometimes strained ties with fellow Democrats have prompted conjecture about a switch to independence, possibly alongside a third-party presidential bid.
Speaking to journalists, he clarified that his presence at a certain event shouldn't be taken as a definitive sign of third-party plans. Yet, he subsequently mentioned, "I've never ruled out anything or [ruled] in anything... this is strictly a conference we're having."
