Manchin leaves Democratic Party, registers as independent

West Virginia Sen. Joe Manchin on Friday officially filed as an independent, leaving the Democratic Party.

The senator, who is not seeking 2024 reelection, made the announcement on the social media site X. 

"My commitment to do everything I can to bring our country together has led me to register as an independent with no party affiliation," he said in the post.

Manchin was a moderate Democrat in a Republican-leaning state.