WASHINGTON, D.C. — U.S. Senator Joe Manchin said Friday during an appearance on MetroNews “Talkline” that he hasn’t yet decided what he’ll do in 2024.
“I’m giving everything I got and I still have more to give. I’ve got a little bit more in the tank,” Manchin told “Talkline” Host Hoppy Kercheval.
Kercheval told Manchin he’s getting mixed messages about what Manchin will do.
“You know why you’re getting mixed messages? Because I haven’t made a decision yet,” Manchin said. “I’m looking at it every human way possible.”
Later in the interview Manchin said he would announce his decision some time in 2023.
“I’m not in a hurry, Hoppy. I don’t have to be in a hurry,” Manchin said. “The bottom line is I only care about one thing and that’s the success of my state and people having opportunities in my state.”
What are @Sen_JoeManchin plays for 2024? Does he plan on running? When will Senator Manchin announce his future aspirations? He discusses with @HoppyKercheval about his future. WATCH: https://t.co/yCFQ3nm85Y pic.twitter.com/PJWEbB1fJE
— MetroNews (@WVMetroNews) December 2, 2022
Manchin said those opportunities have been increasing in recent months and he predicted they will continue to increase because of the impact of the Inflation Reduction Act that he wrote. He predicted it would stabilize the energy market in West Virginia and open the door for additional investments.
He said the current success is unlike any other time in the state’s history.
“I think we’re providing that more now that I’ve ever seen in the things that are coming to West Virginia right now–and it’s because of what we’re doing to stimulate here in Washington and it’s because of the bills we passed,” Manchin said.
Manchin bristled when asked he was being pressured by party leaders to run again in 2024
“I know that it’s hard to believe but I don’t take pressure from any of these people. I don’t trust either one of these parties. The party systems we have today, the Washington Democrats and the Washington Republicans, trust me, the first and foremost thought is not about their constituents or the American people or their country, it’s about their party and their status in their party and that makes me sick,” Manchin said. “I’m sick and tired of it. So the bottom line is I’m going to do what’s the best for my country and the best for my state.”
West Virginia Second District Congressman Alex Mooney has already announced he’s running for Senate in 2024 while fellow Republican, Gov. Jim Justice, has said he’s seriously considering a run. Manchin said it’s going to be interesting to watch the Republicans.
“They ran him (Mooney) out of Maryland and they ought to put him back in Maryland and I hope the West Virginia Republican Party will be able to do that,” Manchin said. “It’s getting interesting. You have Gov. Justice who is looking at that very hard and he’s a tremendous candidate and there may be others. It’s going to be an interesting time.”