Democrat Senator Joe Manchin (D-WV) has announced that he won’t be seeking re-election to the U.S. Senate in 2024.
Sen. Manchin made the announcement in a video posted to Twitter/X on Thursday.
In the caption of the video, Manchin 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.”
WATCH:
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
Manchin released a shock video statement on Thursday saying he wants to “fight to unite the middle.”
He also slammed the “growing divide” between the two main parties.
The 76-year-old lawmaker said most Americans “are just plain worn out” with Washington D.C.
He said that he is now focusing on finding “common ground.”
“I know our country is not as divided as Washington wants us to believe,” he said.
He continued by blasting problems with the economy, the border, and “paralyzing” politics.
Manchin has been widely touted as a potential presidential candidate for No Labels, a third-party moderate group aiming to find the middle ground.
The senator has been a thorn in the side of Democrat President Joe Biden’s administration.
He has frequently voted with Republicans on Democratic-led bills.
In the clip posted on Thursday, he said he now plans to travel across the U.S. to speak to voters frustrated with the government.
“After months of deliberation and long conversations with my family, I believe in my heart of hearts that I have accomplished what I set out to do for West Virginia,” he said.
“I have made one of the toughest decisions of my life 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.
“Our economy is not working for many Americans, from the rising cost of food and fuel and everything in between,” he said.
“We have a border crisis with illegal drugs entering our country and killing Americans every day.
“Our national debt is out of control and Americans don’t feel safe even in their own communities.”
“I know our country isn’t as divided as Washington wants us to believe,” he added.
“We share common values of family, freedom, democracy, dignity, and a belief that together we can overcome any challenge.
“We need to take back America and not let this divisive hatred further pull us apart.”
