Maverick Democratic Senator Joe Manchin Suggests a Third-Party Candidate for 2024 Presidential Election
WASHINGTON, July 17 – Senator Joe Manchin, known for his centrist positions within the Democratic Party, has expressed his belief that a third-party candidate in the 2024 U.S. presidential election would “threaten” the two major political parties and force them to adopt more moderate stances to secure victory. Speaking at an event organized by the centrist group No Labels at Saint Anselm College in Manchester, New Hampshire, Manchin hinted at the possibility of running as a third-party candidate under the No Labels banner but stated that he has yet to make a decision.
New Hampshire, being an early state in the primary election calendar, attracts presidential hopefuls who view a strong performance there as pivotal in building momentum. Given Manchin’s moderate stance and appeal, his comments have sparked speculations about his potential presidential bid.
Throughout his career, Manchin has employed uncertainty in his voting decisions to influence legislation in the narrowly divided Senate. Arguing that both the Republican Party has “gone too far right” and the Democrats are “too far left,” Manchin emphasized the need to push the major party candidates towards the center. However, he believes that such a shift can only occur if they feel threatened by the presence of an independent candidate.
Former North Carolina Governor Pat McCrory, an activist for No Labels, expressed the hope that a third-party candidate would not be necessary in the upcoming presidential race. However, he also hinted that if it becomes apparent that Donald Trump will secure the Republican nomination and Joe Biden the Democrats’ pick by “Super Tuesday” in early March, No Labels would present a presidential and vice-presidential candidate on their ticket if they believe there is an opportunity to win.
Manchin’s potential third-party bid does not come without criticism. New Hampshire Democratic Party Chair Ray Buckley accused No Labels of being “bankrolled by several high-profile Republican donors and supporters of former President Trump” with the intent of destabilizing President Biden’s administration.
Manchin, who is arguably the most conservative Democratic senator, has not yet announced whether he will seek reelection to his U.S. Senate seat representing West Virginia. However, if Manchin decides to run again, he is expected to face a significant challenge from Republican Governor Jim Justice, particularly as the state has leaned heavily Republican in recent elections.
The speculation of a potential independent candidate entering the race raises concerns among Democratic strategists who prioritize President Biden’s reelection. Moreover, polling data shows that neither Democrats nor Republicans are particularly satisfied with their likely candidates for the 2024 White House race. In a May Reuters/Ipsos poll, four in 10 Republicans indicated that they believe Trump should not run again in 2024, while a similar number of Democrats expressed a similar view on Biden.
Although it remains uncertain whether Manchin will ultimately launch a third-party bid, his remarks have ignited discussions about the impact such a move could have on the 2024 presidential election.
Reporting by Richard Cowan; Editing by Alistair Bell, Howard Goller, and Lincoln Feast.