Senator Joe Manchin III, the conservative West Virginia Democrat, announced on Thursday that he would not seek re-election, dealing a blow to Democrats’ chances of holding the Senate.
Instead, Mr. Manchin, who was likely to face a strong Republican challenger to keep his Senate seat in a deeply red state, said he would continue exploring whether there was an appetite in the country for a centrist third-party bid for the presidency.
That prospect has alarmed many Democrats who fear such a run could doom President Biden’s chances of holding the White House.
“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,” Mr. Manchin said in a video news release.
Mr. Manchin was seen as the only Democrat with a chance of holding the seat.
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Joe Manchin III, ’, Manchin, Biden’s, “, ” Mr
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