Senator Joe Manchin of West Virginia has officially left the Democratic Party, announcing his decision just one day after the controversial guilty verdict in the sham “hush money” lawfare trial against President Trump.
On Friday, In an X post, Manchin announced that he has changed his party affiliation from Democrat to Independent.
He stated that his decision was driven by the “partisan extremism” he sees in both major parties, which he believes is damaging to American democracy.
“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 said.
My commitment to do everything I can to bring our country together has led me to register as an independent with no party affiliation. pic.twitter.com/tvMB2N87AW
— Senator Joe Manchin (@Sen_JoeManchin) May 31, 2024
Manchin previously announced he would not be running for re-election.
Excerpt from Axios:
Sen. Joe Manchin (D-W.Va.) officially left the Democratic Party on Friday and registered as an independent.
Why it matters: Manchin, who flirted with an independent presidential bid earlier this year, has said he’s not running for Senate re-election. But leaving the party could give him the flexibility to change tack and run for Senate or West Virginia governor as an independent.
What they’re saying: In a statement revealing his decision, Manchin accused both the Democratic and Republican parties of prioritizing “partisan extremism” and “jeopardizing our democracy.”
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The big picture: Manchin, a lifelong centrist Democrat who served two terms as West Virginia governor before his election to the Senate in 2010, has at times been highly critical of the Biden administration.
