WASHINGTON — Sen. Joe Manchin, the centrist Democrat from West Virginia, has announced that he will not be seeking re-election to the U.S. Senate in 2024.
However, his retirement announcement sounded more like the commencement of a new campaign, as the lawmaker expressed that he is not finished with public service and conveyed his frustrations with the two major political parties. Additionally, Manchin has previously indicated a potential run for president with No Labels, a potential third-party effort to put forward centrist candidates to challenge President Joe Biden and former President Donald Trump.
Manchin shared a video on X, the social media platform formerly known as Twitter, where he expressed that he feels he has achieved his goals for the people of West Virginia and does not intend to run for re-election.
“But what I will be doing is traveling the country and speaking out to see if there’s an interest in creating a movement to mobilize the middle and bring Americans together,” he said.
To the West Virginians who have put their trust in me and fought side by side to make our state better – it has been an honor of my life to serve you. Thank you. My statement on my political future: pic.twitter.com/dz8JuXAyTL
— Senator Joe Manchin (@Sen_JoeManchin) November 9, 2023
He added that America is at its best when it works across parties to find common ground.
Now, partisan divisions are “paralyzing Congress and worsening our nation’s problems. The majority of Americans are just plain worn out.”
Manchin emphasized the increasing cost of food and fuel for many Americans, the crisis at the southern border, and the out-of-control national debt. He also addressed the ongoing conflicts between Russia and Ukraine and Israel and Hamas, advocating for the U.S. to provide aid without getting involved in war itself.
“I know our country isn’t as divided as Washington wants us to believe. We share common values of family, freedom, democracy, dignity and a belief that together we can overcome any challenge,” he stated. “We need to take back America and not let this divisive hatred further pull us apart.”
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Joe Manchin, the pivotal West Virginia Senator, won’t seek reelection
