Manchin to decide on gubernatorial bid by Memorial Day

Sen. Joe Manchin will make a decision on a bid for West Virginia’s top office by late May.

{mosads}The West Virginia Democrat suggested during a speech Tuesday at a Charleston country club that he could make a decision before that.

“I will make a decision officially before Memorial Day,” Manchin said, according to the Charleston Daily Mail. “It could be sooner than later but it will be before the holiday, which I think is the kickoff to the parades and campaign season and all that.”

Manchin’s office confirmed separately that the senator will make a decision before Memorial Day.

Manchin told the newspaper that changes in Washington, including Senate Minority Leader Harry Reid’s (D-Nev.) decision not to run again, will factor into his decision.

Also, Manchin said he will have to decide whether he can make more of a difference in Washington or West Virginia.

“Can I do something in Washington that I can never do no matter how well we did as governor? Where can I make a better impact?” he asked.

A Manchin gubernatorial run could give Republicans a prime opportunity to pick up a Senate seat in a state that has increasingly moved to the right.

Sen. Shelly Moore Capito, a Republican, won the seat formally held by Sen. Jay Rockefeller, a Democrat, after he announced his retirement.

West Virginia also lost its sole House Democrat last year after then-Rep. Nick Rahall lost the state’s 3rd District to Evan Jenkins.

Manchin would likely face a contested Democratic gubernatorial primary, with state Sen. Jeff Kessler expected to run.