08/11/2023

Senator Manchin Says 'Thinking Seriously' About Leaving Democratic Party

Given his voting record, this flip is not a surprise to many Democrats

Senator Joe Manchin (D-WV), a maverick Democrat who has often bucked party leadership, told a radio station in his home state on Thursday that he is "thinking seriously" about leaving the party.

"I'm not a Washington Democrat," Manchin said in the interview on Talkline with Hoppy Kercheval, a West Virginia Metro News show. "I've been thinking seriously about that (becoming an independent) for quite some time."

Manchin and Democratic-turned-independent colleague Senator Kyrsten Sinema have been constant thorns in top Senate Democrat Chuck Schumer's side since the party won its majority in 2020. Democrats hold a 51-49 majority, including three independents who caucus with them.

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