Senator Joe Manchin of West Virginia did not dismiss the possibility of running for governor after some Republicans reportedly encouraged him to do so. A group of Republicans who do not support the GOP gubernatorial nominee, Patrick Morrisey, have reportedly urged Manchin to run as an independent candidate. Manchin, who previously served as governor from 2005 to 2010 before being elected to the U.S. Senate, commented on the rumors, stating that he supports the Democratic nominee, Steve Williams, and will wait until he returns home to address the situation further. The West Virginia MetroNews report cited sources close to the senator, who claimed that at least 20 Republicans with financial resources are encouraging him to run for governor.
The West Virginia Republican Party issued a statement endorsing Morrisey as their candidate against Williams. Morrisey, who lost to Manchin in the 2018 Senate race by three points, expressed unity within the party, indicating that he has had positive conversations with his former rivals in the Republican gubernatorial primary and is focused on electing Republicans in the general election. Despite the encouragement from some Republicans for Manchin to join the gubernatorial race, Williams cast doubt on the rumors, citing conversations he has had with Manchin since the primary election. Williams stated that Manchin has not given him any indication of considering a run for governor and has committed to contributing to his campaign.
Manchin, who is not seeking reelection to the Senate, joked with reporters on Monday about his desire to return home to West Virginia and get away from the political scene in Washington, D.C. While acknowledging the rumors and the encouragement from Republicans to run for governor, Manchin emphasized his support for the Democratic nominee, Williams, whom he has known for 40 years. The report from West Virginia MetroNews indicated that many Republicans who believe Manchin performed well as governor previously are urging him to consider running for the position again. Despite these rumors, Williams expressed confidence in Manchin’s commitment to his campaign and dismissed the idea that Manchin would enter the race against him.
The possibility of Manchin running for governor in West Virginia has generated speculation and discussions among political circles in the state. With the upcoming gubernatorial election in November, the dynamics of the race could potentially shift if Manchin decides to enter as an independent candidate. However, both Williams and Morrisey have expressed unity within their respective party bases and a shared goal of electing Republicans in the general election. As the situation continues to develop, voters in West Virginia will closely watch for any official announcements from Manchin regarding his potential candidacy for governor. Ultimately, Manchin’s decision could have significant implications for the outcome of the gubernatorial race and the political landscape in West Virginia.
