The Republicans could be on the cusp of picking up another Senate seat before the 2020 elections. Joe Manchin of WV has become disenchanted with the Senate and is now trying to decide whether to stick it out or to quit and run for the WV governorship.
There are risks in doing that. Gov Jim Justice, a Republican is pretty popular and could beat him, unless the absurd would happen and Justice were to go after Manchin’s Senate seat. West Virginia has taken a sharp right turn and Manchin is probably the only Democrat with a real chance for the governorship.
Democratic West Virginia Sen. Joe Manchin is reportedly considering vacating his Senate seat before his term ends and launching another bid for the governorship of West Virginia, according to a report published Thursday.
Manchin has confided in colleagues that he is exceptionally frustrated with Congress’s lack of bipartisanship and consequently thinking about leaving the Senate, reported The Hill.
When asked if he is happy with the Senate’s productivity, he replied, “Not at all.”
“I haven’t been happy since I’ve been here,” he continued. “I’ve always thought there was more we can do. It’s the greatest body in the world, so much good could be done.”
Despite winning reelection in 2018, Manchin may forgo serving his full term and drop out as early as next year so that he can run for governor in his home state of West Virginia when Republican Gov. Jim Justice is up for reelection in 2020.
“I have people back home that want me to come back and run for governor,” Manchin told The Hill. “We’re looking at all the different plays. I want to make sure whatever time I have left in public service is productive.”