Don Blankenship files for US Senate run as Democrat
Don Blankenship files for US Senate run as Democrat
CHARLESTON, WV (WOWK) – The West Virginia Secretary of State’s Office says another candidate has thrown his hat into the ring for U.S. Senate.
Embattled former coal executive Don Blankenship filed Friday to run as a Democrat in the U.S. Senate race for the seat currently held by U.S. Senator Joe Manchin, who announced in November he would not be running for re-election.
This is not Blankenship’s first run for a political office. He ran for U.S. Senate in 2018 as a Republican, losing the primary election, and made a run for president in 2020 as a member of the Constitution Party.
The former CEO of Massey Energy was found guilty in 2015 of conspiring to willfully violate mine safety standards at the Upper Big Branch mine where 29 miners were killed in April 2010. He served one year in prison on the charge.
According to the WV Secretary of State’s Office, Blankenship is one of three Democratic candidates in the race. He faces off against Glenn Elliot of Wheeling and Zachary Shrewsbury of Princeton.
Numerous Republican candidates are also vying for the seat. The WV Secretary of State’s office lists the Republicans running in the race as West Virginia Governor Jim Justice, U.S. Representative Alex Mooney, Bryan Bird of Beckley, Zane Lawhorn of Princeton, Don Lindsay of Baker, Bryan McKinney of Inwood, and Janet McNutly of Martinsburg.
The deadline for candidates file a Statement of Candidacy for the Primary Election is Saturday, Jan. 27.
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