West Virginia Senator Joe Manchin, a conservative Democrat, officially filed as an independent on Friday.
“My commitment to doing everything I can to unite the country has led me to register as an independent with no party affiliation,” Manchin posted on social platform
Manchin announced in November that he would not run for reelection this year after serving in the Senate since 2010. Before coming to Congress, he served as governor of West Virginia from 2005 to 2010.
“Throughout my days as an elected official, I have always been proud of my commitment to common sense, bipartisanship and my desire to bring people together. It’s who I am,” Manchin said in a statement released Friday. “It’s who I will always be.”
He signaled on Wednesday that he would not participate in this year’s governor’s race, quashing rumors that he may campaign again for the position.
In an affirmation Friday, Manchin said partisanship on both sides has put democracy at risk. National politics in America is broken and neither side is willing to compromise, he said.
“To remain true to myself and remain committed to putting country before party, I have decided to register as an independent, with no party affiliation, and continue to fight for America’s sensible majority,” he said.
Manchin has not said what he plans to do after leaving office at the end of this term. In March, he said he was a “Long Shot” that he would run again for the Senate.
The 76-year-old West Virginia senator had long toyed with the idea of a possible third-party bid for the White House but ruled it out this cycle, telling voters he would ensure we “guarantee a president” who could unite the country.
He said he accomplished what he set out to do for West Virginia, and the decision not to run again for Senate was “one of the most difficult decisions of my life.”
In last week’s GOP gubernatorial primary, Moore Capito, son of Sen. Shelley Moore Capito (RW.Va.), lost to West Virginia Attorney General Patrick Morrisey.
Manchin said Democrat Steve Williams has his support in the race. Manchin said Williams has been a friend for 40 years and knows how hard he will “work” if he is elected.
Updated at 10:58 a.m. ET
This story originally appeared on thehill.com read the full story
