In a radio interview with a local station on Thursday, Sen. Joe Manchin said that he had been “thinking serious” about leaving the Democratic Party before the 2024 elections. This was one of his strongest statements to date regarding the possibility of leaving the Democratic Party.

I would seriously consider that. I have been thinking about it for a long time. Manchin said to West Virginia radio host Hoppy kercheval, “I haven’t taken any decisions.” “I want to be sure that my voice truly is an independent voice.”

Manchin is not in a hurry to announce what he plans to do for 2024. He will keep the political world guessing for a while. The three-term Senator has flirted publicly with running for President in 2024. This includes a third party run with No Labels.

The D and R brands have become so bad. In West Virginia the D brand is used because it’s the national brand. Manchin said, “It’s not Democrats in West Virginia; it’s Democrats in Washington.” You’ve heard my adage a thousand times: I’m not a Washington Democrat.

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If Manchin runs, the West Virginia Senate race is likely to be one of most closely watched across the country. Manchin has been in the West Virginia Senate seat since 2010. He has repeatedly defeated Republican opponents. Republican strategists still see West Virginia as an excellent pickup opportunity in this election cycle. The senior senator of West Virginia faces an uphill battle in a state where former President Donald Trump won with 68% in 2016 and 29% by 2020.

In a recent poll conducted by the East Carolina University Center for Survey Research, Manchin lost to Gov. In a possible Senate matchup, Jim Justice (R – WV) leads by 22 points. Justice must first face Rep. Alex Mooney, R-WV in the GOP primaries.

Manchin would have to become an independent in order for the Democratic majority to remain 51-49. He would lose the chairmanship of the Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee if he left the party and did not caucus.

Manchin stated during the interview that he wanted to be able “to speak honestly” about the extremes in the Democrat Party and Republican Party which are harming the nation.

In the last two years, the Senator has been a constant thorn in Biden’s side. He has crossed party lines on several occasions to oppose legislation and to block White House appointments. He has consistently opposed efforts to end the filibuster which would allow Democrats to pass more legislation. He refused to support Biden’s social spending plan “Build Back Better”, but eventually agreed to the Inflation Reduction Act which included additional spending on healthcare and climate, as well as increased taxation on businesses.

Since then, he has repeatedly attacked the Biden administration over the Inflation Reduction Act. Manchin, despite having frustrated the most ambitious progressive priorities, is still the last Democrat in West Virginia holding a high-ranking office and is a key vote for the party leadership in the Senate.

Manchin would be joining Kyrsten Sinema, another centrist senator (I-AZ) who has announced that she will leave the Democratic Party in December 2022 and become independent. Sens. Bernie Sanders (I – VT) and Angus King(I – ME) are also independents who serve in the Senate. However, both of them caucus together with Democrats.