Joe Manchin registers as independent, raising questions about political plans

Democratic senator makes announcement several months after saying he would not run for re-election or for president

The Democratic senator Joe Manchin of West Virginia announced on Friday that he had registered as an independent, several months after saying he would not stand for re-election this November but also would not run for president as a rebel candidate.

The announcement raises further questions about his future political plans. Manchin has spent several years shoring up Democratic support in his deep-red state while making life difficult for the White House and Democrats in Congress in Washington DC with his often pivotal conservative influence over legislation, especially in relation to spending and the environment.