WASHINGTON, D.C. — Various media outlets were reporting Thursday that U.S. Senator Joe Manchin (D-WV) was under consideration by the Donald Trump transition team for the position of U.S. Secretary of Energy.
Politico cited three unnamed sources in its report early Thursday afternoon. Within a few hours Political Insider and The Hill published similar reports.
Manchin told Politico he hadn’t spoken to those representing the president-elect and had no trips planned to New York City. But he also indicated he wouldn’t be opposed to listening.
“If I can do anything that would help my state of West Virginia, and my country, I would be happy to talk to anybody,” Manchin said. “Other than that, I haven’t heard anything. I have nothing scheduled.”
Manchin’s office told MetroNews the quote speaks for itself. Manchin is up for reelection in 2018.
Another Senate Democrat, Sen. Heidi Heitkamp of North Dakota, told CNN Thursday she had been contacted by the president-elect for some discussions. She didn’t elaborate.
On Wednesday, ABC News reported the following people as potential considerations for a Trump administration energy secretary:
Harold Hamm, oil and gas businessman
Former Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin
Kathleen Hartnett White, former chair of the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality
Sen. Joe Manchin, D-W.Va.
Former Texas Gov. Rick Perry