Senator Manchin Announces He Will Not Run for Re-Election

On Thursday, November 9, Senator Joe Manchin of West Virginia announced in a video message to constituents that he would not seek re-election to the United States Senate.

The decision all but ensures a Republican pick up of the red state in the Senate, with West Virginia's Republican Governor Jim Justice as the current assumed front runner. Since 2021, Manchin has been the only Democrat holding statewide or congressional office in West Virginia, and he represents the most Republican-leaning constituency of any Democrat in Congress.

Then-Governor Joe Manchin ascended to the Senate in 2010 via a special election to fill the late Senator Robert Byrd's seat. Notably, he was sworn in by then-Vice President Joe Biden. He went on to win a full six-year term in 2012 with over 60% of the vote in West Virginia; he would win re-election in 2018, but with only 49% of the vote statewide.

Senator Manchin rose to serve as Chairman of the Senate Energy & Natural Resources Committee and was a key leader instrumental in the passage of both the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law and the Inflation Reduction Act.



This announcement further complicates an already difficult map for Democrats seeking to hold their majority in the Senate. Democrats must defend Senator Jon Tester's seat in Montana, Senator Brown's seat in Ohio, and there is some concern for New Jersey, where embattled and indicted Senator Bob Menendez continues to refuse calls to step down. For what it is worth, a spokesperson for the Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee emphasized confidence in their chances to retain the majority, citing pickup opportunities in Texas and Florida.

Senator Manchin was vague in outlining what his next steps would be. Regarding his future activities, Manchin noted that he will be "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."