Manchin, King Will Continue Caucusing with Democrats
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US Senate(WASHINGTON) — A rotten Tuesday for Senate Democrats brightened a bit Wednesday when two free-thinking lawmakers said they would continue caucusing with the soon-to-be minority party.
There had been concerns that West Virginia Democrat Joe Manchin and independent Maine Senator Angus King would cast their allegiance with Republicans, who will run the Senate come next January.
However, when asked by Politico if he would stick with the Democrats, Manchin replied, “Yeah and I’ve said this: I’m a West Virginia Democrat, it’s a lot different than being a Washington Democrat.”
Manchin is a fiscal conservative who leans left on social issues.
Meanwhile, King said at a press conference that he too would still caucus with Democrats if for no other reason than Republican Susan Collins, considered a moderate in the GOP, is doing the same with her party.
However, King added that he’ll work to pull Democrats more “to the center.”
Republicans now maintain a 52-45 edge in the Senate with the outcome of three races yet to be decided.
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