Joe Manchin Switches Party Registration to Independent
Manchin Remains Independent Caucusing with Senate Democrats
Move Follows Years of Centrist Stance
Senator Joe Manchin III, the conservative West Virginia Democrat who has said he will retire at the end of his term, has switched his party registration to independent.
Manchin's move was first reported by longtime West Virginia radio host Hoppy Kercheval. Despite his party change, Manchin will continue to caucus with Senate Democrats, his office confirmed.
Manchin's departure from the Democratic Party is the latest in a series of high-profile defections from the party. In recent years, several Democratic senators have switched to the independent caucus, including Angus King of Maine, Kyrsten Sinema of Arizona, and Bernie Sanders of Vermont.
Manchin's move is not expected to significantly shift the balance of power in the Senate, where Democrats hold a narrow majority.
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