WASHINGTON – Joe Manchin says he won’t seek re-election to the U.S. Senate next year.
Manchin, a Democrat, made the announcement November 9 in a 4-minute video. He has been mentioned as a third-party candidate for president. Manchin has mentioned possibly becoming an independent, and he’s been a crucial moderate vote in recent years as the Senate has a 51-49 Democratic majority.
“After months of deliberation and long conversations with my family, I believe in my heart of hearts that I have accomplished what I set out to do for West Virginia,” Manchin said in the statement. “I have 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.
“But what I will be doing is traveling the country and speaking out to see if there is an interest in creating a movement to mobilize the middle and bring Americans together.”
Manchin, a former West Virginia governor and Secretary of State, became a U.S. Senator in 2010. His departure likely gives Republicans another seat in the Senate as West Virginia is one of the most conservative states in the nation.
“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,” Manchin said. “Thank you.”
Outgoing Gov. Jim Justice and current U.S. Representative Alex Mooney are vying for the GOP nomination for the seat.
“We like our odds in West Virginia,” Senator Steve Daines, chairman of the National Republican Senatorial Committee, said in a press release.
Justice issued a statement as well.
"Senator Joe Manchin and I have not always agreed on policy and politics, but we're both lifelong West Virginians who love this state beyond belief, and I respect and thank him for his many years of public service," the governor said.
West Virginia AFL-CIO President Josh Sword thanked Manchin for his work.
“First and foremost, I would like to extend our deepest gratitude to Senator Manchin for his many years of advocating on behalf of all West Virginians, in particular our working families," Sword said in a press release. "There is still a lot yet to be done, and I know I speak on behalf of so many in the West Virginia labor movement when I say we are looking forward to the months ahead of working with Senator Manchin to continue to grow our state’s economy, thanks in no small part to federal investments that will help create thousands of good paying jobs, with great benefits and safe workplaces. I wish him all the best in his future endeavors.”
West Virginia Democratic Party Chairman Mike Pushkin echoed those sentiments.
"For 41 years, beginning with his election to the House of Delegates in 1982, Joe Manchin's name has been synonymous with West Virginia politics and government," Pushkin said in a statement also mentioning Manchin's time as a state Senator, Secretary of State and governor.
"On behalf of the West Virginia Democratic Party, we would like to thank Joe Manchin for all his years of service to West Virginia and to the nation. Like Senators (Jennings) Randolph, (Robert) Byrd and (Jay) Rockefeller, Joe Manchin was a larger than life figure in the United States Senate.
"In the coming months, we will engage in a robust process to identify and support a candidate who truly represents the values of West Virginia. The West Virginia Democratic Party will work tirelessly to support and elect a senator who shows up for work, pays his debts and brings more to the U.S. Senate than a cute dog."