Former Sen. Joe Manchin (I-W.Va.) on Monday called for changes to American elections, arguing that most races lack genuine competition. Speaking with NewsNation's Elizabeth Vargas, Manchin pointed to the 2024 election cycle as evidence of a structural problem.
"All we ever heard reported about was the seven battleground states," Manchin said. He went on to note that 43 states were predetermined and that out of 435 congressional districts in the country, 395 were effectively decided before voters went to the polls.
Manchin's comments come as he has positioned himself as an independent voice following his departure from the Democratic Party last year. The three-term senator did not seek reelection in 2024, citing frustration with partisan polarization.
"There's no competition," Manchin said during the interview, arguing that the current system discourages candidates from presenting diverse policy positions to voters.
What the Left Is Saying
Some progressive advocates have welcomed Manchin's focus on electoral competition, though they note his critique intersects with broader concerns about democratic participation. Groups like RepresentUs have long argued that partisan gerrymandering and primary election structures reduce voter choice.
Election reform advocates from the left have pushed for policies including ranked-choice voting, open primaries, and anti-corruption measures. They argue these changes could increase competition and give voters more meaningful choices at the ballot box.
"When most elections are decided in primaries rather than general elections, you end up with candidates who appeal to the most partisan voters," said Dan Vic, a spokesperson for the nonpartisan election reform group Open Our Democracy. "That's not healthy for democracy."
What the Right Is Saying
Conservative commentators have responded cautiously to Manchin's remarks, with some questioning whether his proposed changes would benefit Republicans or Democrats more. Primary election rules are typically set by state legislatures, many of which are controlled by Republicans.
"Open primaries sound good in theory, but they've historically benefited moderate candidates from either party," noted a Republican strategist who spoke on background. "Whether that helps or hurts GOP candidates depends entirely on the district."
Some conservative voices have also pushed back on Manchin's framing, arguing that competition exists where it matters most. The seven battleground states he criticized collectively represent dozens of competitive House seats and several Senate seats that decided control of Congress.
"Elections in safe districts aren't unique to one party," said another Republican strategist. "Both parties have incumbents who face little threat. That's how our system has always worked."
What the Numbers Show
According to data from Inside Elections and Cook Political Report, approximately 365 of 435 House seats were considered safe for one party or the other heading into the 2024 election cycle. That represents roughly 84 percent of all congressional districts.
The seven states Manchin referenced — Arizona, Georgia, Michigan, Nevada, North Carolina, Pennsylvania, and Wisconsin — collectively held 93 competitive House seats and three Senate seats that were genuinely contested.
Primary elections in 2024 saw incumbents win renomination at rates exceeding 95 percent across both parties, according to data from Ballotpedia. Just 18 House members lost primaries in the 2022 cycle, down from 25 in 2020.
The Bottom Line
Manchin's comments highlight an ongoing debate about electoral competitiveness in the United States. While his framing of "no competition" applies to most individual districts, political scientists note that competitive races do exist and often concentrate in specific regions.
Any changes to primary election systems or redistricting practices would require action at the state level, where party control varies significantly. Manchin himself is no longer in office, meaning any push for reform would rely on coalition-building with current legislators.
What to watch: Whether Manchin's advocacy gains traction with either party remains unclear. His status as a former independent senator limits his direct influence, but he may use public appearances to continue pressing the issue through 2026.