Sen. Joe Manchin announces he won't run for president in 2024
Sen. Joe Manchin, the Democrat from West Virginia, announced Friday he will not launch a 2024 bid for the White House as an independent -- removing what would have been a major challenge for President Joe Biden's campaign.
"I will not be seeking a third-party run. I will not be involved in a presidential,” Manchin said at an event at West Virginia University.
Manchin told the crowd that he will focus on putting his efforts behind his daughter’s Super PAC "Americans Together.”
“I will be involved in making sure that we secure a president that has the knowledge and has the passion and has the ability to bring this country together. And right now, we're challenged and we've got to see if we can move people in that direction."
Manchin announced last year that he would not seek reelection for his Senate seat, fueling speculation over whether he planned to mount a third-party White House bid.
And he hasn’t been shy of a third-party run flirting with rhetoric over the past year. Manchin has publicized that he would crisscross the country to hear from the “politically homeless" and would work to "fight to unite the middle."
On Friday, Manchin said the system isn't set up for a third-party candidate.
"The system right now is not set up for [it]. The long game, maybe we can make a third party viable where it has a process and opportunity. Right now, it's very challenging," he said. "And I'm not going to be a deal breaker, if you will, spoiler, whatever you want to call it. I just don't think it's the right time."
This is a developing story. Please check back for updates.