Sen. Joe Manchin, the West Virginia Democrat who often bucked party leadership and flirted recently with leaving the party altogether, announced he would not seek reelection on Thursday in a blow to Democrats’ chances of retaining the seat.
“After months of deliberation and long conversations with my family, I believe in my heart of hearts that I’ve accomplished what I set out to do for West Virginia,” Manchin said in a video statement posted on social media.
“I have made one of the toughest decisions of my life and decided that I will not be running for reelection to the United States Senate.”Manchin, 76, was first elected to the Senate in 2010, after serving as the governor of West Virginia.
He faced tough reelection prospects next year in the deep red state that had led many to question whether he would bow out of the race.
And recent teasing about leaving the party or launching a third-party bid for the presidency added to the intrigue.
Persons:
Sen, Joe Manchin, ’, ” Manchin, Manchin, ”, Joe Biden’s
Organizations:
West Virginia Democrat, United States Senate, Senate
Locations:
“, West Virginia, New Hampshire, Washington, America