Sen. Chris Murphy believes Sen. Joe Manchin’s potential third-party presidential run would draw more votes from Trump than Biden

Senator Chris Murphy of Connecticut weighed in on the possibility of Senator Joe Manchin of West Virginia launching a third-party presidential run, stating that he believes it would siphon more votes from former President Trump than from President Biden. Despite the speculation surrounding Manchin’s potential White House bid after announcing he will not seek reelection to the Senate in 2024, Murphy expressed that he is not overly concerned about it.

In a recent interview on NBC News’s “Meet the Press,” Murphy shared his thoughts on the situation, suggesting that Manchin’s hypothetical third-party candidacy could impact Trump more than Biden. Manchin’s decision not to run for Senate reelection has sparked rumors of a presidential run, with the 76-year-old senator indicating his intention to focus on mobilizing the political center across the country.

Manchin has previously flirted with the idea of a 2024 presidential bid with the centrist No Labels party, attending events in key early-voting states like New Hampshire. His absence from the Senate race in West Virginia is expected to benefit Republicans, with Governor Jim Justice emerging as a strong contender for the seat.

Despite concerns about the Democrats’ ability to retain control of the Senate in 2024 following Manchin’s announcement, Murphy remains optimistic, pointing to the party’s success in the 2022 elections. He highlighted the extremism of Republican candidates as a factor that could work in Democrats’ favor in the upcoming election cycle.

As the political landscape continues to evolve, Manchin’s future plans and their potential impact on the 2024 presidential race remain a topic of interest and speculation. For more updates on this story and other news, visit The Hill for the latest information.