Do I stay or do I go? For Joe Manchin, a big decision awaits

CHARLESTON, W.Va. (AP) — Joe Manchin is one again at a career crossroads that says as much about the West Virginia politician as it does the state of American politics.

The Democrat says he'll decide right after Labor Day whether to stick with being in the U.S. Senate, where he was just reelected for a six-year term, or make a run for West Virginia governor in 2020.

In some ways, it's almost a risk-free political choice because Manchin can try to return to the governor's office, the job he had before joining the Senate, without forfeiting his Senate seat or complicating his party's drive to control Congress.

If he decides to run for governor and wins, conceivably he could even temporarily name his own successor in the Senate. But as a rare Democrat who can win a statewide race in a state that has fallen hard for President Donald Trump, Manchin's decision will be telling.

Read more: https://www.wvnews.com/newsfeed/politics/do-i-stay-or-do-i-go-for-joe-manchin/article_372466c1-9383-500a-9776-16df2dcb867f.html