West Virginia Democratic Sen. Joe Manchin announced Tuesday he will not take a position in President-elect Trump’s administration and will instead stay in the U.S. Senate.
In a statement, Manchin said he was “humbled” to be considered for secretary of energy — a position now expected to go to former Texas Gov. Rick Perry — adding that he believes he can “best serve” West Virginia by remaining in the Senate. The announcement comes only a day after Manchin met with Trump in New York amid speculation he could join the administration.
“I had a very productive and informative meeting with President-elect Trump,” Manchin said. “I was honored that the president-elect asked me to meet with him and discuss ways we can work together and improve the lives of millions of Americans and the hard-working people of West Virginia. I was humbled to be considered for the secretary of energy position.”
“I have dedicated my life in public service to doing what is best for the people of West Virginia. Right now, I believe that I can best serve my state of West Virginia in the United States Senate,” he continued. “I hope all Americans join me in working with President-elect Trump in a bipartisan way to bring our country together and make it successful.”
Manchin said he looks forward to working with Trump and the incoming administration to pass “commonsense” legislation, pointing to the Miners Protection Act after being an outspoken critic of the budget stopgap bill that passed through Congress on Friday. That legislation only guaranteed pensions for retired miners through late April — when the budget stopgap bill ends.
The West Virginia Democrat is also one of two Senate Democrats in Republican-leaning states under consideration for cabinet posts. Sen. Heidi Heitkamp, D-N.D., is being considered for secretary of agriculture.
The news comes only a day after outgoing Senate Minority Leader Harry Reid, D-Nev., said Manchin had been actively running for a spot in the Cabinet, suggesting he expected him to leave for the administration.
