Manchin won't seek Senate reelection as he promises to 'fight to unite the middle'

Sen. Joe Manchin (D-WV) announced he will not be seeking reelection to his coveted Senate seat in 2024, ending months of speculation about the political future of the Senate's leading swing vote.

Manchin, who was widely viewed as the most vulnerable incumbent heading into the 2024 Senate elections, announced he would not run for another term in a lengthy statement on Thursday. The West Virginia Democrat said he instead plans to travel the country in hopes of trying to unify the divided political wings.

"After months of deliberation and long conversations with my family, I believe in my heart of hearts that I have accomplished what I set out to do for West Virginia," Manchin's statement read. "I have made one of the toughest decisions of my life and decided that I will not be running for reelection to the United States Senate, but what I will be doing is traveling the country and speaking out to see if there is an interest in creating a movement to mobilize the middle and bring Americans together."

"To the West Virginians who have put their trust in me and fought side by side to make our state better — it has been an honor of my life to serve you. Thank you," he said.