Manchin Again Teases Third Party Presidential Bid

The Texas Tribune reports:

U.S. Sen. Joe Manchin teased a potential third-party presidential run, threatening to throw the 2024 race into question by campaigning as an independent, while speaking at the closing remarks for the 2023 Texas Tribune Festival.

Manchin also didn’t deny plans to run for reelection as a Democratic senator for West Virginia. Tribune co-founder Evan Smith attempted to nail down the senator’s 2024 political plans to no avail. “My filing date isn’t until January in West Virginia,” Manchin said.

Manchin made the case for a third political party, arguing that an independent candidate could bring together a deeply divided country. One vision Manchin considered was a bipartisan ticket. Both of Texas’ Senators, Ted Cruz and John Cornyn, have publicly encouraged Manchin to become a Republican.

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