Factbox: Joe Manchin’s Exit Makes It Harder for Democrats to Defend US Senate Majority

Democratic US Senator Joe Manchin of West Virginia announced this week that he will not seek re-election in 2024.

Manchin’s decision makes it much more difficult for Democrats to maintain their majority in the US Senate. The Democrats currently hold a 50-50 majority in the Senate, with Vice President Kamala Harris casting the tie-breaking vote.

West Virginia is a deep-red state that has voted for Republican presidential candidates in every election since 1996. Manchin’s retirement means that Democrats will be hard-pressed to find a candidate who can win the state in a general election.

Manchin’s decision could have a ripple effect across the country. If Democrats lose his seat, they will need to win two other seats in order to maintain their majority. This will be a difficult task, as Republicans are defending only 11 seats in the 2024 election.

Manchin’s retirement is also a blow to President Joe Biden, who has relied on the senator’s support to pass legislation. Without Manchin’s vote, Democrats will need to find other ways to get their bills through the Senate.