Joe Manchin Says He Won’t Seek Reelection, Fueling 2024 Speculation

Moderate Sen. Joe Manchin (D-WV) said he would not seek reelection in 2024 on Thursday, boosting Republicans’ chances of taking his Senate seat. 

Senate Implications: Without Manchin, Republicans stand a strong chance of picking up a Senate seat from Democrats, boosting their chances for a post-2024 majority. 

Manchin for Prez? Manchin, 76, said he would be “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.” The statement echoed his previous refusal to rule out a 2024 White House bid at a town hall hosted by No Labels, a movement that has floated a third-party ticket in the event of a Biden-Trump rematch. 

For Context: Manchin was instrumental in scaling back some of President Joe Biden’s key legislative proposals — including the Inflation Reduction Act, which adapted some proposals from the “Build Back Better” bill Manchin opposed. This reportedly caused friction between Manchin, other Democrats, and White House staff. 

How the Media Covered It: Coverage across the spectrum reflected similar analyses: Manchin’s move was good for the GOP and fueled 2024 presidential speculation. Manchin received some criticism from both the left and right; a writer at The New Republic (Left bias) labeled Manchin “a greedy nihilist,” and a Washington Examiner (Lean Right bias) writer called Manchin’s decision “a direct result of both his failures and the failures of the Democratic Party.”