Senator Joe Manchin Quits Democratic Party, Becomes Independent

Senator Joe Manchin has made a significant move by departing from the Democratic Party and declaring himself an independent, a decision that will not alter the Senate’s partisan balance.

Representing West Virginia, Manchin had previously announced his decision not to seek reelection or run for the presidency.

With a deadline looming on Friday for changing his party affiliation to maintain his candidature flexibility, there is a two-month window for him to determine whether to file for the ballot, noted a spokesperson for the West Virginia secretary of state’s office.

Although his office did not immediately address whether he might pursue an independent Senate bid or another gubernatorial campaign in the state, spokesperson Charlotte Laracy affirmed that the 76-year-old will continue caucusing with the Democrats, thus retaining the party’s 51-49 Senate control.

Joining forces with his long-time ally Senator Kyrsten Sinema of Arizona, who also transitioned to independent and announced intentions to retire after this Congress, Manchin’s switch ensures that the Democratic Party’s Senate majority remains intact.

Expressing his disillusionment with partisan politics, Manchin stated, “I have never seen America through a partisan lens.” He critiqued both major parties for abandoning West Virginia and the nation in pursuit of partisan extremism, which he perceives as a threat to democracy.

Manchin pledged to “continue to fight for America’s sensible majority” following his departure from the Democratic Party.

As the chair of the Senate’s energy panel, Manchin has voiced frustrations over President Joe Biden‘s handling of the energy provisions in the Inflation Reduction Act, legislation largely crafted by Manchin. Notably, these provisions include the temporary exemption of Chinese graphite from EV tax credit regulations.

In the legislative realm, Manchin’s primary focus this year revolves around advancing a comprehensive reform of permitting regulations with the aim of expediting energy and other projects entangled in lengthy governmental approval processes or legal disputes.

With this shift in party affiliation, Manchin’s decisions and actions in the Senate are sure to be closely monitored by political observers and analysts.

— With assistance from Zach C. Cohen.

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