West Virginia Democrat Senator Joe Manchin has announced that he is no longer a registered Democrat and has switched to “independent.”
Manchin was first elected to the West Virginia U.S. Senate seat in 2010 and announced his retirement late last year. He said he would travel the country and try to bring people together.
Manchin’s announcement leaving the Democrat Party was because the Democrat and Republican parties have become “too extreme.” His full statement, posted on his website, says,
“From my first day in public service in 1982, I have always focused on doing what’s best for my state and my country, without regard to party or politics. Throughout my days in elected office, I have always been proud of my commitment to common sense, bipartisanship and my desire to bring people together. It’s who I am. It’s who I will always be. I have never seen America through a partisan lens.
However, since becoming a United States Senator in 2010, I have seen both the Democrat and Republican parties leave West Virginia and our country behind for partisan extremism while jeopardizing our democracy. Today, our national politics are broken and neither party is willing to compromise to find common ground. To stay true to myself and remain committed to put country before party, I have decided to register as an independent with no party affiliation and continue to fight for America’s sensible majority.”
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Manchin won his race in the 2018 general election 49.6% to 46.3%, making it one of the closest U.S. Senate races from that election cycle.
