Jasmine Crockett Shuts Down Joe Manchin's Calls For An 'Open Primary'

Rep. Jasmine Crockett (D-Texas) emphasized that she’s backing Kamala Harris in November, even if other lawmakers challenge the vice president’s campaign.

“So this idea of throwing out Joe Manchin and all these other people. Listen, if you all decide to go any other way, have fun with that,” Crockett told MSNBC ’s Joy Reid on Sunday.

“But the only person that I will get out there and break my back for and campaign for and believe in who is capable and qualified is Vice President Kamala Harris.”

Crockett responded to reports that Sen. Joe Manchin (I-W.Va.), who registered to become an independent after he left the Democratic Party in May, is considering reregistering as a Democrat and battling Harris for the nomination.

Manchin, who is not running for reelection and is set to retire from the Senate this year, has backed the idea of an “open primary” to decide on a Biden replacement.

“I think that we have a lot of talent on the bench, a lot of good people,” Manchin told CNN ’s “State of the Union” on Sunday prior to the president’s announcement.

The West Virginia lawmaker went on to name Kentucky Gov. Andy Beshear and Pennsylvania Gov. Josh Shapiro , adding that the two Democrats operate with legislatures that are “evenly split or completely opposite of their party affiliation” and have “brought people together.”

“They haven’t divided their state. They haven’t made you pick a side and demonize the other side. They have brought people together. This is what an open process would do,” he said.

Shapiro endorsed Harris following Biden’s announcement while Beshear stopped short of immediately backing the vice president. The Kentucky governor is set to appear on MSNBC’s “Morning Joe” on Monday.

Crockett, who told Reid that she stands “10 toes down” with Harris, wrote on X that she’s “been clear” about her endorsement.

“She’s the VICE PRESIDENT… she’s the second in command. She can & will finish the job!” the Texas Democrat wrote on the site formerly known as Twitter.

“We have to do the work! I don’t want another few weeks of not getting to the job of BEATING MAGA & Project 2025!”