'I will win any race I enter': Manchin releases statement, doesn't disclose future plans

CHARLESTON, W.Va. (WCHS) — On a day when West Virginia’s Republican governor is expected to throw his hat in the ring in a bid for U.S. Sen. Joe Manchin’s congressional seat, the Democrat backed himself to win regardless of who he's running against.

While Manchin said he is currently focused on other issues, he believes he can top any challengers to his U.S. Senate seat – or whatever other race he chooses.

"I am laser focused on doing the job West Virginians elected me to do - lowering healthcare costs, protecting Social Security and Medicare, shoring up American energy security and getting our fiscal house in order,” Manchin said in a statement. “But make no mistake, I will win any race I enter."

The statement comes as West Virginia Gov. Jim Justice is expected to officially announce his campaign to seek the Republican nomination to possibly run against Manchin in 2024.

With Democrats holding a one-vote majority in the Senate, the 2024 race in West Virginia could decide who holds the majority in the upper chamber of Congress. The governor will be facing off for the GOP Senate nomination against 2nd District Congressman Alex Mooney.

Mooney announced his run for Manchin's Senate seat shortly after being re-elected to the U.S. House in November.

Manchin has not publicly said confirmed that he would seek reelection to the seat or announce any plans to run for any other office.