Democratic Senator Joe Manchin announced that he will not be running for another term, stating that he believes it is not possible to fix the problems in Washington from within. Instead, Senator Manchin and his daughter Heather are focusing on ways to encourage greater citizen involvement and to address issues such as gerrymandering.
In an interview, Senator Manchin expressed his concerns about the extreme polarization within both parties. He noted that there are individuals on both the center-right and center-left who are working towards making decisions that benefit the country and its families. However, they face hurdles such as fear of being challenged in primaries or backlash from party bases. Senator Manchin highlighted the need for a more inclusive political environment.
To address these challenges, Senator Manchin and his daughter have launched a new organization called Americans Together, which operates as a 501C4. The objective of this non-profit is to educate and encourage individuals to become more actively involved in the political process. Senator Manchin emphasized the importance of expanding primary elections so that they are more representative of the majority rather than being skewed by gerrymandering or other factors.
Gerrymandering, the practice of manipulating district boundaries to favor one party over another, has long been a concern in the United States. Senator Manchin argued that many districts are already predetermined as either Democratic or Republican, making it difficult for candidates from the opposing party to gain a fair chance. He believes that reforming this system is crucial to fostering a more competitive and inclusive political landscape.
While Senator Manchin acknowledged the financial success of both the Democratic and Republican Parties, he expressed doubt that the business model of these parties would undergo significant change. Instead, he sees the potential for creating change by empowering the people and encouraging greater participation in the political process. Through Americans Together, Senator Manchin and his daughter aim to inform citizens about how they can get more involved and advocate for reforms such as open primaries and fair districting.
In conclusion, Senator Joe Manchin has made the decision not to run for re-election, citing the need to enact change outside of Washington. Instead, he and his daughter are actively working to education and empower citizens through their organization, Americans Together. By addressing issues such as gerrymandering and advocating for more inclusive primaries, Senator Manchin hopes to foster a political environment that better represents the majority and encourages bipartisan collaboration.
