Odds of Joe Manchin Becoming a Republican

Reports surfaced last week that West Virginia Senator Joe Manchin may be considering changing his party affiliation from Democrat to Republican.  Manchin called the claims "bullshit".

The claims are not too far fetched as the Democrat serves in a heavily Republican state.

Gambling911.com has the odds of Manchin changing his party affiliation to Republican at 10-1 odds and an Independent at 3-1.  His odds of remaining a Democrat were coming in at 1/2.

Manchin said on Tuesday that he gets asked about switching parties "every day" and joked that he isn't sure where he belongs politically. He added that his life "would be much easier" if he flipped.

"[But] is that the purpose of being involved in public service?" Manchin said. "You think that having a 'D' or an 'I' or an 'R' is going to change who I am?"

Manchin is one of two Democrats resistant to passing a planned $3.5 trillion reconciliation package.  Arizona Senator Kyrsten Sinema is the other.

Manchin is up for reelection in 2024. He said on Tuesday that he hasn't decided if he'll run for reelection.

"I'll be 77 years old," he said, "what do you think?" 

- GIlbert Horowitz, Gambling911.com