Joe Manchin launches the Independent Leadership Council to recruit and support independent candidates for the 2026 midterm elections.
Joe Manchin is returning to the political arena by launching the Independent Leadership Council, a new initiative designed to recruit and support independent candidates across the country. The former West Virginia senator, who retired in 2025 after serving as a Democrat and later an independent, aims to create a movement of candidates who can vote with either major party when appropriate. The administration announced that the council will serve as a "pilot experiment" to prove that independent candidates can compete effectively in high-profile congressional races. Manchin kicked off the effort by convening candidates in West Virginia, including California Representative Kevin Kiley, Montana Senate candidate Seth Bodnar, and Iowa House candidate Michael Bridgford. The initiative comes as 45% of American adults now identify as political independents. While the U.S. electoral system often favors a two-party solution, Manchin believes that independent lawmakers can wield significant influence by bringing the country toward the center. The council will provide candidates with campaign infrastructure, fundraising support, and on-the-ground organization to help them overcome the structural challenges of running outside the Democratic and Republican parties.