Kyrsten Sinema, Joe Manchin Head To Davos As Election Cycle Kicks Off

Sen. Joe Manchin (D-WV), and Sen. Kyrsten Silena (I-AZ), are both up for reelection in 2024. They will be traveling to Davos, Switzerland to join the United States delegation at the World Economic Forum (WEF).

Next week will see the annual World Economic Forum begin. This forum brings together heads of state and executive to discuss the world’s economic woes. Sinema and Manchin will also be part of the United States delegation this year, along with some other senators.

It is interesting that Sinema and Manchin have not made an official announcement about whether they will run for reelection this cycle. Both of them are up for reelection. Both are in difficult political situations, having caused trouble with legislation in the past, and in some cases voting against the party with which they caucus.

According to reports, they will be joined by several Biden administration officials including John Kerry’s Special Presidential Envoy for Climate, Avril Haines Director of National Intelligence, Christopher Wray Director of FBI, Samantha Power Administrator at the U.S. Agency for International Development, and Katherine Tai, U.S. Trade Representative. Sen. Chris Coons, D-DE (and Sen. Jim Risch, D-ID) might also be present.

The Senate Democrats will need to work to preserve, or expand, their 51-seat majority. Sinema has been fielding possible primary challengers since recently switching to an independent party. This could mean spending millions on Sinema’s protection. Additionally, some Democrat senators in red states, like Manchin, will be at risk. There will also be open seats left vacant by retired members, such as Senator Debbie Stabenow (D-MI).

23 of 33 Senate seats are up for reelection in the next election cycle. Democrats or left-leaning Independents currently hold 23 of the 33 Senate seat. Former President Donald Trump won six of these states by double digits during at least one of his presidential campaigns.

The New York Times acknowledged that Sen. Jon Tester’s Montana, Sen. Sherrod brown’s Ohio, and Manchin’s West Virginia seats will be the most difficult for Democrats to retain. These states were won by Trump in 2020 by 16, 8 and 29 percent, respectively.