Story perspectives

Manchin’s Independent Leadership Council backs 2026 independent candidates

8/26/2026

Summary

Story summary

U.S. Senator Joe Manchin III (W.Va.) and daughter Heather founded the Independent Leadership Council, a nonpartisan nonprofit.
The council will endorse and financially support declared independent congressional candidates in the 2026 election cycle.
Manchin left the Democratic Party in 2024, became an independent, and ended his congressional career.
Manchin warned that Senate independents might have to literally crash official proceedings to gain recognition.

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Story summary

U.S. Senator Joe Manchin III (W.Va.) and daughter Heather founded the Independent Leadership Council, a nonpartisan nonprofit.
The council will endorse and financially support declared independent congressional candidates in the 2026 election cycle.
Manchin left the Democratic Party in 2024, became an independent, and ended his congressional career.
Manchin warned that Senate independents might have to literally crash official proceedings to gain recognition.