U.S. Senator Joe Manchin’s (D-WV) indication of retirement after his current term expires in 2024 has caused yet another headache for Democrats who control the Senate by the narrowest of margins. Manchin had been critical in delivering much-needed votes to pass Biden’s agenda and his departure would prevent the party from having a unilateral lever of control over the chamber with his beloved seat potentially held by a Republican. Democrats now face the reality of needing to try and recruit another candidate to successfully defend the seat, or risk an even tighter majority in a chamber where they already need every vote they can get to further their progress.
