Independent Senator Joe Manchin from West Virginia is reportedly considering rejoining the Democratic Party and jumping into the presidential race, according to various news sources. Fox News’ Bret Baier reported that Manchin, who left the Democratic Party in May and registered as an independent, is “considering re-registering as a Democrat and throwing his hat into the ring for President.
Manchin has been described as a moderate Democrat. Baier added that CNN anchor Jake Tapper had been the first to report the news. In a post on X, Tapper wrote that “sources close to” Manchin had revealed the senator is “considering re-registering” with the Democratic Party.
The news of Manchin potentially rejoining the Democratic Party comes shortly after President Joe Biden announced that he was withdrawing from the presidential election. Biden offered his “full support and endorsement” for Vice President Kamala Harris to be the party’s presidential nominee.
Since Biden’s announcement, several prominent Democrats such as former President Bill Clinton, former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton, Rep. Ilhan Omar (D-MN), Sen. Elizabeth Warren (D-MA), Rep. Jamaal Bowman (D-NY), and Pennsylvania Gov. Josh Shapiro (D) have issued statements of support for Harris to be the party’s nominee.
Manchin has previously considered launching a third-party run for president. In February, Manchin put months of speculation as to whether he was launching a run for president to rest.