Senator Joe Manchin’s Retirement Sparks Focus on Abortion Rights in Key 2022 Races

On November 9th, Senator Joe Manchin (D-WV) announced that he would not seek reelection in 2022, causing both Democrats and Republicans to agree that the seat would be a lost cause for the Democrats. This has allowed Democrats to focus their efforts on more winnable races in Texas and Florida, where the party hopes to use abortion rights as a platform to turn long shots into tight races.

In Ohio, Senator Sherrod Brown (D) is focusing on abortion rights in his reelection race. Brown has held the seat since 2007, but the state has become increasingly Republican in recent years. Three major Republican candidates are vying for the chance to unseat Brown: businessman Bernie Moreno, Ohio Secretary of State Frank LaRose, and Ohio state Senator Matt Dolan.

Democrats are hopeful that by focusing on abortion rights, they can gain an edge in the races in Texas and Florida, as well as in Ohio. While the party is still facing an uphill battle in these states, they are confident that they can make a strong showing in the 2022 elections.

The 2022 elections are sure to be a pivotal moment for both parties, and the focus on abortion rights is sure to be a major factor in the outcome. It remains to be seen how the races in Texas, Florida, and Ohio will play out, but it is clear that abortion rights will be a major issue in the coming months.