Advocates for independent candidates believe they have more momentum than in recent memory. In several states, independent candidates for Congress are attracting significant funding and the attention of their opponents from major parties. Advertisement AdvertisementSince leaving the Senate, Manchin has published a book, promoted his daughter's centrist political nonprofit, Americans Together, and continued to make appearances in Washington. Surveying the current Senate, Manchin lamented what he described as a lack of deal-makers in his mold. Asked if Fetterman should become an independent, Manchin said the Pennsylvania senator "needs to do what John's comfortable doing."