photo by: Joselyn King

U.S. Sen. Joe Manchin, D-W.Va., discusses federal earmark funding for local projects during a stop in Wheeling on Thursday, April 5.

CHARLESTON — U.S. Sen. Joe Manchin, the last statewide elected Democrat in West Virginia, has abandoned the party he has supported and led all his political life and switch to independent, causing speculation about an independent run for U.S. Senate or governor.

In a press release and social media post Friday morning, Manchin announced his switch from the Democratic Party to independent, citing the political divisions in Washington D.C. between far-right conservative Republicans and far-left progressive Democrats.

“…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,” Manchin said. “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.”

Manchin, a member of a Marion County political dynasty with long-time ties to the Democratic Party, first won election in 1982 to the West Virginia House of Delegates, later serving in the state Senate and as secretary of state. Manchin was elected the 34th governor of West Virginia in 2004. In 2010, Manchin resigned to run in a special election for the U.S. Senate seat held by the late U.S. Sen. Robert C. Byrd, winning reelection in 2012 and 2018.

But through much of 2023, Manchin was reluctant to say whether he would run for a third six-year term for U.S. Senate. In November 2023, Manchin announced he would not seek reelection, choosing to retired from the Senate at the end of 2024. Manchin, who has toyed with switching to independent before, briefly considered a third-party run for U.S. President through the moderate political group No Labels, but announced earlier this year he would not run.

“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,” Manchin said. “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.

Manchin’s party switch comes just in time for a June 1 deadline for potential candidates for the November ballot to switch parties if considering an independent or third party run for office in the November general election. Independent candidates are required to gather signatures of at least 1% of the total vote in the last election for the seat they are seeking. The deadline for submitting signatures is Thursday, Aug. 1. Independent candidates must also file a certificate of candidacy by Aug. 1.

There has been speculation about Manchin either making a run for governor again or making an independent run for his U.S. Senate seat. There was talk by some of trying to convince Steve Williams, the mayor of Huntington and Democratic candidate for governor, of dropping out and being replaced on the ballot by Manchin. Williams has said he has no plans to drop out of the race, and Manchin told the Charleston Gazette-Mail Wednesday he supports Williams.