Joe Manchin Announces He Won’t Run for Re-Election — Hints at Possible Presidential Run

Sen. Joe Manchin (D-WV) has announced he will not run for re-election in 2024 — and hinted at what he plans to do next.

The senator, who has managed to win elections despite West Virginia usually voting for Republicans in other statewide races, has been a thorn in the side of President Joe Biden and congressional Democrats, acting as a stumbling block for multiple pieces of legislation. The seat is now widely expected to be won by Republicans, most likely West Virginia Gov. Jim Justice (R).

Manchin announced his intentions in a video he posted on The Platform Formerly Known as Twitter. In his message, he recalled conversations he had had with his father about politics, quoted President John F. Kennedy, spoke proudly of his record of bipartisanship, and thanked the people of West Virginia for their support over the years.

“I’ve made one of the toughest decisions of my life,” said Manchin, “and decided that I will not be running for re-election to the United States Senate.”

“But what I will be doing is traveling the country, and speaking out to see if there is an interest in creating a movement to mobilize the middle and bring Americans together,” he added — presumably alluding to chatter that he is considering launching a long shot independent bid for the presidency, or supporting another independent candidate.

He continued with criticism of “the growing divide between Democrats and Republicans” that he said was “paralyzing Congress” and “worsening our nation’s problems.”

Shortly after Manchin posted the video, CNN’s chief congressional correspondent Manu Raju reported that he had “just asked him moments ago” about running for re-election and the senator had replied, “When the time is right, the time is right.”

Watch the video above, via The Platform Formerly Known as Twitter.