Senator Joe Manchin Announces He Won't Seek Re-election, Shaking Democratic Hold on Senate

Manchin's decision sparks speculation about a potential presidential bid, as Democrats face a challenging path to retain Senate majority.

Senator Joe Manchin's decision not to seek re-election could potentially lead to a Republican takeover of his Senate seat in West Virginia, a state that has become increasingly conservative.
Manchin's announcement has sparked speculation about a potential presidential bid, with the senator stating he plans to gauge interest in creating a movement to mobilize the middle and bring Americans together.
Democrats face a challenging path to retain their current 51-seat Senate majority, with two incumbents running for re-election in red states, Montana and Ohio, and a third senator, Kyrsten Sinema of Arizona, yet to declare her plans.
The Democratic party must also defend four Senate seats in four of the most contested presidential battlegrounds: Wisconsin, Nevada, Pennsylvania, and Michigan.
With no competitive race in West Virginia in 2024, both parties will have tens of millions of dollars to spend on a second tier of battleground races, potentially impacting the outcomes in states like Wisconsin and Michigan.