Washington [USA], November 10: US Senator Joe Manchin has just suddenly announced that he will not run for re-election in 2024, causing concern for the Democratic Party in maintaining its majority in the US Senate.
Senator Joe Manchin from West Virginia said on November 9 that he would not run for re-election in 2024 "after months of consideration and discussion" with his family, according to AP. "From the bottom of my heart, I believe I have accomplished what I set out to do for West Virginia. I have made one of the most difficult decisions of my life," Mr. Manchin said on November 9.
The 76-year-old senator 's decision opens up a golden opportunity for the Republican Party to choose a candidate to compete for the seat that will be vacant next year. The Democratic Party holds a narrow majority in the Senate with 51 seats compared to the Republicans' 49 seats.
Electing another senator will be a difficult task for the Democratic Party in West Virginia, where nearly 69% of voters chose Donald Trump in the 2020 presidential race. According to AP, this state continuously voted for Democratic candidates for decades before turning red (the color of the Republican Party) and becoming one of Mr. Trump's most ardent supporting states. Over the past few years, Mr. Manchin has been the lone Democratic wing among West Virginia state positions.
Republican Congressman Alex Mooney jumped into the race for Mr. Manchin's seat just 2 weeks after being elected for a fifth term in the House of Representatives in November 2022. Governor Jim Justice of West Virginia, who served two terms, also entered the race this year and was supported by former President Trump.
Mr. Manchin was elected to the Senate in 2010 and is currently Chairman of the US Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee. He is a centrist and has often obstructed President Joe Biden's legislative agenda. However, he played an important role in passing climate legislation called Mr. Biden's Disinflation Act last year. The White House owner issued a statement praising the "real progress" Mr. Manchin has achieved in his career, and said the two have worked together to accomplish many things for hardworking families.
Senator Manchin's statements about not running for re-election have raised speculation about the possibility that he intends to run for president next year as an independent candidate.
According to him, serving the people has and continues to guide him every day. "What I'm going to do is go around the country and put it all out there to see if there's interest in creating a movement that mobilizes the middle class and brings Americans together. We need to win back America and don't let this divisive hate push us further away," Mr. Manchin said.
Source: ThanhNien Newspaper
