Sen. Joe Manchin said Thursday that he never considered leaving the senate as a tactic in negotiations over his party’s spending plans, as Mother Jones reported this week, but that he instead discussed becoming an congress” target=”_blank”>independent<
Sens. Angus King, I-Maine, and bernie-sanders” target=”_blank”>Bernie Sanders<
Senators have changed their parties while sitting in office before. Most recently, former Sen. Arlen Specter of Pennsylvania switched from a Republican to a Democrat in 2009. Former Sen. Joe Lieberman of Connecticut changed his party from Democrat to independent in 2006. And current Sen. Richard Shelby of Alabama switched his party from Democrat to Republican in 1994.
But perhaps the most impactful change in party affiliation was former Sen. Jim Jeffords of Vermont, who switched his party from Republican to independent in 2001. He also started caucusing with Democrats.
At that time, the Senate was split 50-50 with the GOP in the majority thanks to former Vice President Dick Cheney. Therefore, Jeffords’ switch changed the party that controlled the Senate. If Manchin made a similar switch now the GOP would gain control of the Senate.
But Manchin said he’s not considering it and only offered to leave the Democratic Party if joe-biden” target=”_blank”>President Biden<, D-N.Y., thought it would be best for him to do so.
