Manchin has not immediately commented on his political plans, but the move could lead him to reconsider plans not to seek reelection or run for governor, a position he once held.
Aug. 1 is the deadline for independent candidates to file candidacy in West Virginia. Manchin had until Saturday to register as an independent, so he still has a chance to run as an independent in this election.
The centrist senator announced in November 2023 that he would not run for another term and is likely to win a Republican seat in heavily Republican West Virginia, whose Republican candidate for the seat is Governor Jim Justice.
For months, Manchin had been considering running for president as an independent or third-party candidate, spooking Democrats who expected a rematch between Biden and former President Donald Trump, but in February he announced he would not be running for president this year.
Speculation has grown in recent weeks that Manchin might be considering a return to the governor’s office, but he reportedly said this week that he would not run. He said he would support Democratic candidate Steve Williams.
If Manchin decides to run for the Senate again, it could give him a shot at victory in a Republican-leaning race. CNN reported in March that Senate Majority Leader Charles E. Schumer (D-N.Y.) had discussed running for reelection as an independent with Manchin. At the time, Manchin said he had no plans to run for reelection.
Democrats are seeking to retain their slim Senate majority in the November elections and face a tough election campaign, mainly on the defensive in states won by Trump.
Manchin joins three other senators who identify as independents — Sens. Bernie Sanders of Vermont, Angus King of Maine and Kyrsten Sinema of Arizona — who have all been meeting with Democrats. A spokesman for Manchin said he will continue to meet with Democrats.
Manchin has long lamented the partisanship and political extremism in Congress.
“Right now, our politics are fractured, with neither party willing to compromise and find common ground,” Manchin said in a statement about his decision to register as an independent.
Since Manchin was elected to the West Virginia Senate, the political winds in the state have shifted.
According to the Secretary of State’s office, in January 2017, 44% of West Virginia voters were registered Democrats, 31% were Republicans, and 21% were Independent. As of April 2024, those ratios have nearly reversed, with 30% registered Democrats and 40% registered Republicans (25% Independents).
A Democrat has not won a presidential election in West Virginia since 1996, and although the state is the second-most Republican state, according to the Cook Partisan Voting Index, registered Republicans have outnumbered registered Democrats only since February 2021.
Renee Bronner contributed to this report.
