Overview
- Joe Manchin formally launched the Independent Leadership Council and held a kickoff summit in West Virginia on July 24, 2026, with attendees that included Rep. Kevin Kiley, Seth Bodnar and Michael Bridgford.
- The initiative combines Heather Manchin’s Americans Together work with resources tied to Independent PAC and says it could campaign for, raise money for, and provide ground operations for endorsed independents.
- Manchin and his team stress the effort is an experiment, not a new political party, and Manchin says he does not plan to run for office again.
- Organizers name a small set of pilot targets in states such as California, Montana, Alaska, Nebraska and Washington but note persistent hurdles for independents including ballot-access rules, closed-primary incentives and the lack of built-in fundraising networks.
- If even one endorsed independent wins in November the council says it could influence legislation and future races so reporters and strategists will watch endorsements, fundraising pledges and whether the effort measurably improves ground operations for its candidates.