U.S. Senator Steps Away From Democrat Party

Democratic Senator Joe Manchin of West Virginia has officially switched his registration from a Democrat to an Independent.

On Friday, Manchin posted a photo of himself changing his political registration on X.

In the caption, he wrote, “My commitment to do everything I can to bring our country together has led me to register as an independent with no party affiliation.”

Previously, Manchin announced he would not seek re-election after his term is finished.

My commitment to do everything I can to bring our country together has led me to register as an independent with no party affiliation. pic.twitter.com/tvMB2N87AW

— Senator Joe Manchin (@Sen_JoeManchin) May 31, 2024

Democratic Sen. Joe Manchin of West Virginia registers as independent, citing 'partisan extremism' https://t.co/ulLrFO10I8

— The Associated Press (@AP) May 31, 2024

Here’s what The Associated Press reported:

Democratic Sen. Joe Manchin of West Virginia announced Friday he has switched his registration to independent, raising questions about his political plans since the move could help his chances should he seek elected office again in a state that has turned heavily Republican.

Manchin, 76, has often been at odds with the Democratic Party and an obstacle to many of President Joe Biden’s legislative priorities. But he played a central role in helping Biden get a landmark climate change and health care bill over the finish line in 2022.

He had already announced in November that he wouldn’t seek re-election to the Senate, giving Republicans a clear path to picking up his West Virginia seat in their bid to retake the majority next year.

Manchin has served in the Senate since 2010 and is the chairman of the Energy and Natural Resources Committee. He said in a statement that over the past 15 years he has seen both major political parties leave their constituents behind for “partisan extremism while jeopardizing our democracy.”

WATCH: Let’s work together to fix America. Don’t hate the other side. There’s only one side – the American side – and we have to work together to save our country. That’s why I changed my party registration to no party affiliation. pic.twitter.com/Q0w6y0tKDb

— Senator Joe Manchin (@Sen_JoeManchin) May 31, 2024

Per CNN:

Sen. Joe Manchin of West Virginia, a longtime moderate Democrat, announced on Friday that he is registering as an independent.

Manchin announced last year that he would not run for reelection in the deep red state, creating an opportunity for Republicans to flip the Senate seat. The news that Manchin has registered as an independent raises fresh questions, however, over his political future and aspirations.

“Our national politics are broken and neither party is willing to compromise to find common ground,” Manchin, who has long been a pivotal swing vote in the Senate, said in a statement. “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.”