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Democratic Sen. Joe Manchin reportedly considering retirement
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Democratic Sen. Joe Manchin reportedly considering retirement

Trump won his state handily in 2016

Sen. Joe Manchin (D-W. Va.) is reportedly considering retiring from the Senate. This could put another seat within reach for Republicans.

Here's what we know

The 71-year-old Democrat has been known to cross the aisle and vote with Republicans, earning him a 20 percent Liberty Score rating from Conservative Review (for comparison, Sen. Mike Lee (R-Utah) has a score of 98 percent and Sen. Chuck Schumer (D-N.Y.) has a score of 4 percent).

Republicans currently control 53 of the Senate's 100 seats. Democrats control 45 seats, and the remaining two are held by independents who caucus with Democrats. President Donald Trump won West Virginia solidly in 2016 with 68.7 percent of the vote — his highest percentage in any state other than Wyoming (which he won with 70.1 percent).

"I have people back home that want me to come back and run for governor. We're looking at all the different plays. I want to make sure whatever time I have left in public service is productive," Manchin told the Hill. Before being elected to the Senate in 2012, Manchin had served as governor of West Virginia from 2004 to 2010. He also said he was "not at all" satisfied with his own productivity in the Senate.

"I haven't been happy since I've been here," he said. "I've always thought there was more we can do. It's the greatest body in the world, so much good could be done."

The Hill also cited an unnamed Democratic senator who said that Manchin had allegedly threatened to retire and had said "I'm going to be out of here." Two more of Manchin's colleagues also told the Hill, on the condition of anonymity, that Manchin had indicated that he was nearing the end of this time in the Senate.

TheBlaze has reached out to Manchin's office for comment.

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