WASHINGTON (NEWSnet/AP) — U.S. Sen. Joe Manchin of West Virginia announced Friday he has registered as an independent rather than a Democrat, raising additional questions about his political future.

Candidates must file with their affiliation 60 days prior to the Aug. 1 deadline in West Virginia to run in this year’s election.

He said in a statement that over the past 15 years he has seen both major political parties leave their constituents behind “for partisan extremism while jeopardizing our democracy.”

“Today, our national politics are broken and neither party is willing to compromise to find common ground,” Manchin said. “To stay true to myself and remain committed to put country before party, I have decided to register as an independent with no party affiliation and continue to fight for America’s sensible majority.”

Manchin has often been at odds with the Democratic Party, including some of President Joe Biden’s legislative priorities.

Manchin, who had served in the Senate since 2010, did announce in November that he wouldn’t seek re-election to his current seat in the heavily GOP state.

But Manchin did not explain whether he will continue caucusing with Democrats in the Senate, where they hold a slim majority. He serves as chairman of the Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee, and would lose that if he does not partner with Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer in some way.

He also did not indicate if he will be running for political office in the near future.

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