Sen. Joe Manchin’s Daughter Sets Up Political Group That Could Help Potential Third-Party Presidential Bid

Sen. Joe Manchin‘s daughter, Heather Bresch, set up a political organization just days after the Democratic West Virginia senator announced he would not run for re-election next year.

Manchin has been toying with a third-party presidential run, either with No Labels or one of his own making. The organization, Americans Together, was established under federal election law as a 501(c)(4) group, which allows it to raise funds to support Manchin’s future political activities.

In a written and video statement last week, Manchin said, “After months of deliberation and long conversations with my family, I believe in my heart of hearts that I have accomplished what I set out to do for West Virginia. I have made one of the toughest decisions of my life and decided that I will not be running for reelection to the United States Senate, but what I will be doing is traveling the country and speaking out to see if there is an interest in creating a movement to mobilize the middle and bring Americans together.”

He continued, “To the West Virginians who have put their trust in me and fought side by side to make our state better — it has been an honor of my life to serve you. Thank you.”

The decision brings with it a battle for the Senate majority. As a Democratic senator in conservative West Virginia, Manchin has defied political gravity for years. Donald Trump won the scarlet-red state by just 39 points in 2020.

Sen. Steve Daines (R-Montana), the chair of the National Republican Senatorial Committee, said in a curt statement: “We like our odds in West Virginia.”

Gov. Jim Justice and Rep. Alex Mooney have both started to run for the Republican nomination for the seat.

Justice said, “Senator Joe Manchin and I have not always agreed on policy and politics, but we’re both lifelong West Virginians who love this state beyond belief, and I respect and thank him for his many years of public service,”

Manchin’s dynamic with Democrats has been characterized by a love-hate relationship, as he has frequently posed challenges to President Joe Biden‘s agenda and forced him to scale back ambitious domestic plans.

However, Manchin played a pivotal role as the linchpin of the 50-50 Democratic Senate in 2021 and 2022. Without his seat, Republican leader Mitch McConnell (R-Kentucky) would have been in charge of the chamber, rather than Sen. Chuck Schumer (D-New York).

Manchin’s vote was instrumental to many of Biden’s policy victories, such as the American Rescue Plan, the Bipartisan Infrastructure law, the Inflation Reduction Act and confirming scores of new federal judges.

In a statement, Biden said: “Joe, [his wife] Gayle, and the entire Manchin family should feel proud of the Senator’s service to West Virginia and to our country.”