West Virginia Sen. Joe Manchin is considering leaving the Senate before his term is up to run for governor of the state, according to a new report.
Manchin, a red-state Democrat known for voting with the GOP on key issues, has become frustrated with the lack of bipartisanship and actual work done in Congress, according to The Hill.
“I haven’t been happy since I’ve been [in the Senate]. I’ve always thought there was more we can do. It’s the greatest body in the world, so much good could be done,” Manchin told the outlet.
“I have people back home that want me to come back and run for governor. We’re looking at all the different plays. I want to make sure whatever time I have left in public service is productive.”
The move could play a major role in determining which party controls the upper house of Congress in 2020.
Democrats currently hold 47 seats and face uphill battles in numerous red and purple states in the next election cycle.
West Virginia has grown to be a GOP stronghold. In August 2017, its Democratic governor, Jim Justice, announced he was switching parties to join the GOP while on stage with President Trump at a rally.
Trump carried the state by over 40 points in 2016.
Manchin was governor of the Mountain State from 2005 to 2010. He was re-elected in 2008 but left before his term was up to head to Capitol Hill.
A spokesperson for Manchin did not immediately respond to The Post’s request for comment.