Sen. Joe Manchin is considering challenging Vice President Kamala Harris for the Democratic presidential ticket, according to a report Sunday.
Manchin — a longtime moderate West Virginia Democrat who turned independent this year — is weighing whether to return to the Democratic Party and make a run for the White House, sources close to his office told CNN.
The 76-year-old called for Biden to drop out of the race Sunday morning just hours before Biden, 81, announced his withdrawal.
What to know about President Biden’s decision to drop out of the 2024 presidential race:
- President Biden announced Sunday he is dropping out of the 2024 presidential race — after weeks of prominent Democrats and donors calling on him to withdraw following his disastrous performance in the first presidential debate.
- In a letter posted on X Sunday afternoon, Biden admitted that it is in the “best interest of my party and country” for him to step down as the Democratic nominee.
- Biden wrote that he intends to serve out the remainder of his term and will address the country on his decision later this week.
- In a follow-up X post, Biden endorsed Vice President Kamala Harris for the suddenly open Democratic nomination. “Today I want to offer my full support and endorsement for Kamala to be the nominee of our party this year,” the president wrote.
- Former President Donald Trump reacted to the news by labeling Biden the “worst president in the history of our country” in a call with CNN.
“I’m hoping for that, because I think it will leave him with a tremendous legacy as one of the greatest leaders that we’ve had,” Manchin said on CNN’s “State of the Union.”
“I say this, and I came to the decision with a heavy heart, that I think it’s time to pass the torch to a new generation.”
The latest on President Biden’s decision to drop out of the 2024 presidential race:
- Biden drops out of presidential race after Democratic revolt following disastrous debate: ‘Best interest of the country’
- Biden drops out of presidential race: live updates
- Trump slams Biden as ‘worst president in history’ after incumbent drops re-election bid
- Biden offers ‘full endorsement’ of Kamala Harris as 2024 Democratic nominee after dropping out
- A look back at Biden’s more than 50-year career in politics
Before leaving the Democrat party to stand as an independent in May, Manchin announced that he would not seek reelection for his Senate seat — but seemed to backtrack when pressed about it earlier in the summer.
“You never leave any political opportunity and walk away from that, so you always have options, because life is full of surprises. But I have no intention of running for political office,” he told CNN in June.