Senator Joe Manchin, a Democrat from West Virginia, speaks during an interview at an Economic Club of Washington event in Washington, D.C., U.S., on Tuesday, Oct. 26, 2021. Manchin's move was first reported by longtime West Virginia radio host Hoppy Kercheval. The deadline for an independent to register to run for office in West Virginia this year is Aug. 1, according to the secretary of state's office. Manchin won a full Senate term in 2012 and a second term in 2018. In 2020, Trump captured nearly 70% of the vote in West Virginia.

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Persons: Joe Manchin, West Virginia Sen, Manchin, Manchin's, Robert Byrd, Patrick Morrisey, Donald Trump's, Trump, Jim Justice, —, Morrisey, Huntington Mayor Steve Williams Organizations: Democrat, Economic, of Washington, Washington , D.C, West, longtime West, Republican, Trump, Senate, GOP, Democratic, Huntington Mayor Locations: West Virginia, Washington ,, longtime West Virginia