BREAKING: Senator Joe Manchin leaves Democrat Party, registers as independent

Manchin posted on his social media Friday morning, "My commitment to do everything I can to bring our country together has led me to register as an independent with no party affiliation."

In a statement, Manchin said, “From my first day in public service in 1982, I have always focused on doing what’s best for my state and my country, without regard to party or politics. Throughout my days in elected office, I have always been proud of my commitment to common sense, bipartisanship and my desire to bring people together. It’s who I am. It’s who I will always be. I have never seen America through a partisan lens.”

“However, since becoming a United States Senator in 2010, I have seen both the Democrat and Republican parties leave West Virginia and our country behind for partisan extremism while jeopardizing our democracy. Today, our national politics are broken and neither party is willing to compromise to find common ground. To stay true to myself and remain committed to put country before party, I have decided to register as an independent with no party affiliation and continue to fight for America’s sensible majority.”

According to a report from The Intelligencer Wheeling Register, there has been talk of Manchin running for governor in West Virginia. Registering as an independent will make him eligible to run for office in November, if he chooses to run in the gubernatorial race.

Manchin has long had a record of being one of the more moderate Democrats in the US Senate and has worked with Republicans on a number of issues. Leading up to the 2024 election he has declined to endorse incumbent President Joe Biden. The West Virginia Senator has also indicated he will not run again for the Senate.