Sen. Joe Manchin, a lifelong Democrat, has left the party to become an independent, the West Virginia senator announced Friday.
Manchin, 76, said he registered as an independent at the West Virginia state Capitol, accusing both the Democratic and Republican parties of “partisan extremism.” Manchin announced in November that he will not seek re-election in the Senate He has also said that he will not run for president.
He has rejected the idea of running for governor, although leaving the Democratic Party in his heavily Republican state could leave the door open for a gubernatorial run. West Virginia state law says an independent candidate must register as an independent 60 days before the August 1 filing deadline, or June 2.
“Since my first day in public service in 1982, I have always focused on doing what is best for my state and my country, regardless of party or politics,” Manchin said in a statement Friday. “Throughout my days in elected office, I've always been proud of my commitment to common sense, bipartisanship, and my desire to bring people together. I am who I am. It's who I always will be. I've never seen America from a partisan lens.”
“However, since becoming a United States Senator in 2010, I have watched the Democratic and Republican parties leave West Virginia and our country behind for partisan extremism while endangering our democracy,” he continued . “Today, our national politics is fractured and no party is willing to compromise to find common ground. To stay true to myself and maintain my commitment to putting country before party, I have decided to register as independent without party affiliation and continue to fight for the sane majority of the United States.”
Manchin's announcement also comes the day after former President Donald Trump's convicted of 34 crimes of falsifying business records.
Ed O'Keefe contributed to this report
