He had to retire, either that or face certain defeat in November. In 2018, as the incumbent, he got less than 50% of the vote and came within 3% of being defeated. WV is way more red now, he is the only Dem left holding a statewide office.
Goodbye Joe!
The switch to “independent” sets Joe up to run for governor in WV. A race he could win given the family name and record of delivering federal pork to WV. Honestly the GOP nominee, Patrick Morrisey is rather uninspiring and is viewed as a carpetbagger from New Jersey.