CHARLESTON, WV (LOOTPRESS) – In a surprise move, former Massey CEO Don Blankenship filed to run for U.S. Senate as a Democrat on Friday.
Blankenship, who is a well-known political figure in West Virginia politics and who also served a year in federal prison for conspiracy to violate mine safety standards, officially became a Democrat candidate Friday.
Blankenship has been involved in West Virginia politics for decades. He’s been credited for transforming the state from predominantly Democrat to heavily Republican.
In 2018, Blankenship decided to run for political office himself to seek a seat in the U.S. Senate as a Republican.
Blankenship placed third in the primary as Attorney General Patrick Morrisey won the nomination in 2018.
In 2020, Blankenship ran for president as the Constitution Party’s nominee.
Now in 2024, he will be on the ballot for the U.S. Senate vying for the Democratic nomination.
Blankenship says he’s not a Washington, D.C. Democrat.
“Many will be surprised that I registered as a Democrat. I admit that I am not a Washington, DC Democrat,” Blankenship said.
“This fact is exactly why I expect West Virginia Democrats and Independents will vote for me and help me begin the process of returning the Democrat Party and America to sensible, moral and pro-American policy.”
Blankenship believes that West Virginia Democrats have more in common with him than they do with national Democrats.
“Here is my main message—both major political parties are corrupt organizations. Corrupt organizations that are in the process of destroying America for their own personal benefit,” Blankenship stated.
“It is obvious that West Virginia Democrats have far more in common with me than they do with DC Democrat Party leaders or my opponents who continually support the DC crazies.”
The leader of West Virginia’s Democratic Party, Delegate Mike Pushkin, says not so fast to Blankenship.
“I don’t care what letter he has after his name this week. Don Blankenship is not a Democrat and does not represent the values of our party,” said West Virginia Democratic Party Chair, Mike Pushkin.
“Since getting out of prison Don has been struggling to find a way to be relevant. This sad gimmick is just his latest effort to find a political lifeline. The West Virginia Democratic Party remains committed to supporting candidates who truly represent Democratic values and who will work to improve the quality of life for all West Virginians.”
So far, other Democrats who have filed for U.S. Senate include Wheeling Mayor Glenn Elliott and Zachary Shrewsbury.
