Manchin calls on Biden to withdraw from race

Sen. Joe Manchin (I-W.Va.) said on Sunday he believes it is time for President Joe Biden to withdraw from the 2024 race, after previously saying he supported him in the race.

“I came to the decision with a heavy heart that I think it's time to pass the torch to a new generation,” Manchin said in an interview with Jake Tapper on CNN’s State of the Union. He also called on Biden to step down on ABC’s “This Week.”

Manchin’s call to withdraw comes after Democratic senators in swing states, such as Sens. Jon Tester of Montana and Sherrod Brown of Ohio, have made similar statements. While Manchin is not seeking reelection like the others, he is now the fifth senator to call on Biden to withdraw from the race.

Manchin, who was elected as a Democrat but became an independent on May 31, also supported an open primary process for Democrats as the next step if Biden were to step down. He did not endorse Vice President Kamala Harris, but said he is “partial to governors,” referencing Pennsylvania's Josh Shapiro and Kentucky's Andy Beshear.