Sanders open to supporting primary challengers to Manchin, Sinema

Senator Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.) told reporters Tuesday he thinks "there is a very good chance" that Sen. Joe Manchin (D-W.V.) and Sen. Krysten Sinema (D-Ariz.) will face primary challengers, who he would be open to supporting.

Sanders predicted that voters in Arizona and West Virginia would be disappointed that their senators did not stand against the Republican filibuster and oppose President Joe Biden's massive Build Back Better agenda, The Associated Press reports.

When asked if he would consider backing primary challengers against Manchin and Sinema, Sanders responded, "Well, yeah."

Sanders' comments are the most recent hit in an ongoing political battle between moderates Manchin and Sinema and the larger Democratic party. 

This is not the first time Sanders has called out the two senators. "As the voting rights bill finally comes to the floor of the Senate, there is only one vote which will really matter. Will 50 Democrats vote to override the filibuster, protect American democracy and pass the bill, or will Manchin and Sinema vote with the GOP and let the bill die?" Sen. Sanders tweeted Monday.