This was a cross-party endorsement to support the incumbent from Alaska, who is facing a primary challenger that is supported by former President Donald Trump.
According to the conservative West Virginia lawmaker, he worked well with Murkowski in Senate 50-50 to gain bipartisan support for legislation like President Joe Biden’s infrastructure law. He stated that Alaska and the Senate would be well-served if she was in office.
"It's hypocritical for you to work with someone day in and out, and then when they're going through cycle, you're supposed be against them because of their R or D by your name," Manchin said. He appeared on CNN's "State of the Union", to promote bipartisanship values.
He said, "Alaska could only have been so fortunate to continue to serve them"
Murkowski will face Kelly Tshibaka as the GOP primary challenger. Kelly Tshibaka has support from Trump, Alaska Republican party leaders, but is significantly behind Murkowski in fundraising. The race is still open to Democrats. In 2014, Mark Begich (the state's last Democratic senator) lost his reelection bid.
This is not the first time Manchin has opposed his party's political operation. He backed Sen. Susan Collins (R-Maine) in her 2020 reelection campaign. Manchin indicated in April that he would back Murkowski if she ran again this year.
Murkowski was one of seven Republican senators that voted to impeach Trump in his second trial. This was for his role in the Jan. 6 Capitol rebellion. Her reelection campaign demonstrates her status as a centrist senator, working across party lines in order to "stand up against any politician or special interests that threaten our way of living."
Murkowski has been a senator since 2002. In 2010, she lost the Republican primary to her seat, but won the seat after launching a successful write in campaign. Murkowski has been a member of the Senate since 2002. She lost the Republican primary for her seat in 2010. In 2010, she was defeated by President Barack Obama's 2017 health law . And, she refused to vote to confirm Brett Kavanaugh to the Supreme Court.
Murkowski stated Sunday that she would also support Manchin in his reelection bid in 2024.
She said, "If he is running, I'm endorsing" him.
Manchin's refusal to support broad climate and social security net legislation, which Biden had envisioned would be passed with the support of all 50 Democratic senators has earned him ire from progressive wing members of his party. Manchin, who initially indicated that he could support the bill in some form, announced that he would not be supporting it in December.
Manchin stated that he had spoken to Biden recently, but that the topic never really came up due to the need for separate action on Feb. 18 regarding a separate funding bill.
He reiterated his desire to pass smaller parts of Biden’s proposal with the input and support of Republicans. Manchin stated, "These are significant changes." It is going to transform society as we know.
