Sen. Manchin (WV) Files as an Independent

West Virginia Sen. Manchin announced last Friday he has officially left the Democratic Party and filed as an Independent. Manchin, a lifelong Democrat who previously served two terms as governor, said that since his election to the Senate in 2010, he has "seen both the Democrat and Republican parties leave West Virginia and our country behind for partisan extremism while jeopardizing our democracy." He will continue to caucus with the Democrats while he serves out his Senate term.