WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senator Joe Manchin (D-W.Va.) has decided to bypass another run for Governor of West Virginia and remain in U.S. Senate.
Manchin made his announcement on CBS’ “Face the Nation” Sunday and then later confirmed his decision in an interview with MetroNews.
“It was one of the toughest decisions I’ve ever had to make,” Manchin told MetroNews. “The governorship is a job I love very much. We had some great success working together, putting our state ahead of our politics.”
The Democrat was elected twice as governor. He resigned during his second term in 2010 when he was elected to serve out the remaining 14 months of the term of U.S. Senator Robert C. Byrd (D-W.Va.), who died earlier that year.
Manchin’s transition to Washington has been difficult at times and he has openly expressed his frustration with the glacial pace and partisan politics. Those factors caused him to seriously consider running again for the open governor’s seat in 2016.
When asked if he was close at any point to announcing for governor, he replied, “Oh yeah. I kept thinking that was a job that I really enjoyed. I thought we were able to give hope to the people of West Virginia. I enjoyed it so much.”
However, Manchin appears to have grown more comfortable in the federal job in recent months, and he has a strong relationship with U.S. Senator Chuck Schumer (D-NY), who will likely succeed the retiring U.S. Senator Harry Reid (D-NV) as the Democratic leader in the Senate.
“He will work with you and let you bring your ideas,” Manchin said of Schumer. “We’ve had a great relationship.”
Manchin said after thinking about it for months and consulting with his family, he decided he could best serve in the U.S. Senate. “We have an opportunity to really serve at a different level and bring common sense and camaraderie to Washington,” Manchin said. “If the country does well, then I guarantee West Virginia does well.”
Manchin will be up for reelection to the Senate in 2018.