WASHINGTON — West Virginia Senator Joe Manchin said Friday that he is not running for president, according to his spokesperson Jon Kott. For months Manchin, a centrist Democrat, had been flirting with a campaign that threatened to complicate the 2024 presidential race. 

Manchin announced his decision in a speech at West Virginia University billed as “The Future of American Politics.” 

He often bucked his party’s leadership and while considering a run for the presidency had said he thought it would be clear by March if there was a path for a third-party candidate this year. 

Manchin is not running for reelection in 2024. His Senate seat in a heavily Republican state is expected to be a prime pickup opportunity for the GOP.

The West Virginia senator has had talks with No Labels, a centrist group that has been looking into fielding a possible centrist ticket. 

Democrats feared a Manchin presidential bid would likely peel off moderate voters as its looking more likely that November’s election will present a rematch between President Joe Biden and former President Donald Trump. 
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