Manchin's decision, after years of bucking party leadership, could allow him to run for governor or try for another Senate term this fall after ruling out doing so as a Democrat.
West Virginia Sen. Joe Manchin, who has spent his entire decadeslong political career as a Democrat, said Friday he is leaving the party and registering as an independent, raising speculation about whether he may run for another Senate term or for governor this fall.
Manchin’s move was first reported by longtime West Virginia radio host Hoppy Kercheval.
Manchin, 76, served as West Virginia governor from 2005 to 2010, when he won a special election to fill a Senate seat left vacant by the death of legendary Democrat Robert Byrd.
Jim Justice, backed by Trump, won the Republican nomination for Senate and had been favored to succeed Manchin in the fall.
But Manchin’s surprise move could scramble that race if he decides to run for re-election as an independent.
If he is considering an independent bid for either office, Manchin had until June 1 to change his party affiliation; West Virginia state law allows the secretary of state to refuse to certify a candidate if they were registered to vote with a different party within 60 days of filing to run for office.
The original article contains 365 words, the summary contains 181 words. Saved 50%. I’m a bot and I’m open source!
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West Virginia Sen. Joe Manchin, who has spent his entire decadeslong political career as a Democrat, said Friday he is leaving the party and registering as an independent, raising speculation about whether he may run for another Senate term or for governor this fall.
Manchin’s move was first reported by longtime West Virginia radio host Hoppy Kercheval.
Manchin, 76, served as West Virginia governor from 2005 to 2010, when he won a special election to fill a Senate seat left vacant by the death of legendary Democrat Robert Byrd.
Jim Justice, backed by Trump, won the Republican nomination for Senate and had been favored to succeed Manchin in the fall.
But Manchin’s surprise move could scramble that race if he decides to run for re-election as an independent.
If he is considering an independent bid for either office, Manchin had until June 1 to change his party affiliation; West Virginia state law allows the secretary of state to refuse to certify a candidate if they were registered to vote with a different party within 60 days of filing to run for office.
The original article contains 365 words, the summary contains 181 words. Saved 50%. I’m a bot and I’m open source!