Sen. Joe Manchin, a Democrat from West Virginia, is considering a potential run for governor of his home state after being urged to do so by a group of Republicans who oppose the GOP nominee, state Attorney General Patrick Morrissey. Manchin previously served as the governor of West Virginia from 2005 to 2010 before being elected to the U.S. Senate. While he has expressed support for the Democratic nominee, he did not rule out the possibility of running for governor as an independent when asked about the rumors on Monday.
According to a report by West Virginia MetroNews, at least 20 Republicans with financial resources have encouraged Manchin to run for governor again, citing his previous tenure as governor as successful. The state Republican Party, however, fully endorsed Morrissey as the GOP nominee, declaring their unity behind him in the upcoming election. Morrissey, who previously ran for Senate against Manchin and lost, has indicated that the party is united heading into the general election, despite facing opposition.
In response to the rumors of a potential gubernatorial run, Manchin’s Democratic ally, Huntington Mayor Steve Williams, expressed doubt that Manchin would enter the race. He stated that Manchin has not indicated any plans to run, has contributed to his campaign, and they have had multiple conversations since the primary elections. Williams emphasized his long-standing friendship with Manchin and expressed skepticism about the rumors unless Manchin were to act in a deceptive manner.
While Manchin has hinted at a possible run for governor, he is not seeking reelection to the Senate. He joked with reporters that his only interest at the moment is returning home to West Virginia to escape the political turmoil in Washington, D.C. Despite the encouragement from some Republicans, it remains unclear whether Manchin will ultimately decide to enter the gubernatorial race against Morrissey and Williams in the upcoming election. Manchin’s political future in West Virginia, a deeply red state, will likely depend on various factors, including his potential popularity among voters and his ability to bridge partisan divides.
