Fox News executives have made substantial contributions to the West Virginia-representing Democratic senator Joe Manchin’s campaign.

Manchin has emerged as a prominent critic of his Democratic colleagues, particularly on the issue of the federal deficit, as a result of his frequent appearances on the Fox News network. The most recent increase in campaign contributions indicates that the Senator has acquired favor with Fox’s leadership.

Manchin’s financial disclosures reveal a discernible pattern.

According to Federal Election Commission (FEC) records, Manchin received tens of thousands of dollars from Fox executives and attorneys during the months of April through June. This is a significant development, as the senator had not received any contributions from Fox employees since 2018.

During that time period, James Murdoch, the son of media mogul Rupert Murdoch, contributed financially to Manchin’s campaign. In addition, it should be noted that Fox’s political action committee contributed funds to the senator’s campaign during the spring season.

Additionally, several Fox executives at various hierarchical levels have made significant contributions. In the month of May, Fox Television Stations’ chief executive officer, Jack Abernethy, made a contribution of $3,300. Stephen Brown, an additional Fox TV executive, made a contribution of equal magnitude. Michael Mulvihill, the Fox Sports executive in charge of insights and analytics, contributed $1,500.

Notable contributors include Fernando Szew, the CEO of Fox Entertainment Global, who donated $1,000, and Adrian Farley, the director of digital policy and strategy at Fox, who generously contributed $6,600. Fox Corporation’s director of government relations, Jamie Gillespie, contributed an amount equal to that of Farley’s contribution.

A group of attorneys affiliated with Fox Corporation contributed $11,350 to Manchin’s campaign. This group consists of Elizabeth Casey, Joe Di Scipio, Viet Dinh, Tim Lykowski, and Adam Reiss, among others. Chris Reed, the person in charge of legal matters at Fox Television Stations, contributed $1,000. Manchin received $8,500 in total contributions from Fox Corporation’s political committee.

“A lot of donations are part of the buddy network. The world of extremely rich and influential people in the United States is kind of small,” According to Stan Oklobdzija, a professor of political science at Tulane University.

Senator Manchin, according to him, has a lengthy history in the legislative branch, making him a well-known and established figure on Capitol Hill. These donors are likely acquainted with Manchin, hold a favorable opinion of him, view him as dependable, and support his continued government service.

“Manchin has been around on the Hill for a long time, he’s a known commodity. These donors probably come across Manchin, they like him, they see him as reliable, and want to keep him in office,” Oklobdzija stated.

Manchin has disclosed that he is seriously considering switching to an independent political party. This event has the potential to substantially alter the distribution of power within the Senate, as it occurred in response to growing concerns about the Democratic Party’s reputation in the Washington political landscape.

During a discussion with Hoppy Kercheval, the anchor of West Virginia Metro News’ “Talkline,” Manchin conveyed his discontentment over the national branding of the two dominant political parties. “I have to have peace of mind, basically. The brand has become so bad, the ‘D’ brand and ‘R’ brand,” Manchin explained.

Specifically referring to the ‘D’ and ‘R’ brands, the reputation of the brand has deteriorated substantially. Manchin proceeded to elaborate on his concerns, emphasizing that their apprehensions primarily pertain to the Washington Democrats and not those within their own state of West Virginia.

“I would think very seriously about that. I’ve been thinking about that for quite some time. I haven’t made any decisions whatsoever on any of my political direction,” Manchin added. “I want to make sure my voice is truly an independent voice … When I’m speaking, I’m speaking about the good the Republicans do and the good the Democrats continue to do.”

The potential departure of Manchin from the Democratic Party would have a significant effect, given his influential position and the Democrats’ limited majority in the Senate. The individual’s voting patterns have frequently played a crucial role in determining the outcomes of major legislative conflicts, establishing their prominence within the Washington political landscape.

Although he had previously been evasive about this decision and chosen to keep his political ambitions secret, he was more forthright in his most recent declaration. He stated that he would thoroughly contemplate the possibility of pursuing independence.

In addition, his remarks are made in close proximity to speculation regarding a prospective independent presidential candidacy.

Manchin previously attended a No Labels event in New Hampshire, where he did not categorically rule out the possibility of pursuing such a candidacy. In response to concerns about the impact of his campaign on Biden’s chances, Manchin countered, “I don’t see that favoring either side because you just can’t tell how this is going to break.”