United States Senate photography studio · Public domain · Commons
Today’s Political Birthday · August 24
Joe Manchin
Born August 24, 1947. Turns 79 today.
Joe Manchin (born August 24, 1947) is an American politician and businessman from West Virginia. He served as West Virginia secretary of state (2001–2005), as governor (2005–2010), and as a U.S. senator (2010–2025). Before entering politics he co-founded Enersystems, his family coal brokerage.
Often regarded as a centrist and key swing vote in an evenly split Senate after 2020, he announced in 2023 he would not seek re-election, became an independent in 2024, and was succeeded by Jim Justice.
Born August 24, 1942. Died November 9, 2021 at age 79.
Max Cleland (1942–2021) was a Vietnam War veteran and Democratic U.S. senator from Georgia (1997–2003); he also served as Georgia secretary of state and VA administrator.
Todd Young (born 1972) is a Republican U.S. senator from Indiana since 2017; he previously represented Indiana's 9th congressional district (2011–2017).
Mike Huckabee (born 1955) is the U.S. ambassador to Israel since 2025; he was Arkansas governor (1996–2007) and twice sought the Republican presidential nomination.
Born August 24, 1936. Died July 22, 2010 at age 73.
Kenny Guinn (1936–2010) was governor of Nevada from 1999 to 2007, a businessman and interim UNLV president who switched parties before running for governor.
Karoline Leavitt (born 1997) served as White House press secretary from 2025 until her resignation announced in August 2026; she was a 2022 congressional nominee.
Born August 24, 1922. Died January 27, 2010 at age 87.
Howard Zinn (1922–2010) was an American historian, activist, and author of A People's History of the United States; he taught at Spelman and Boston University.
Born August 24, 1895. Died November 2, 1970 at age 75.
Richard Cushing (1895–1970) was archbishop of Boston (1944–1970), made a cardinal in 1958, and helped build interfaith ties during John F. Kennedy's candidacy.
