Joe Manchin Goes Independent: Breaking Away from Party Politics

U.S. Senator Joe Manchin from West Virginia has registered as an independent, moving away from his longtime Democratic affiliation. Citing the broken state of national politics and lack of compromise, Manchin’s departure puts Democrats in a tough spot for the upcoming Senate elections.

U.S. Senator Joe Manchin of West Virginia, a longtime Democrat who has often bucked his party leadership, said on Friday he had registered as an independent with no party affiliation.

"Our national politics are broken and neither party is willing to compromise to find common ground," Manchin said in a statement.

He announced last year that he would not seek re-election in November, hurting Democrats' chance of defending their thin Senate majority.