Don Blankenship’s Senate Bid as a Democrat Raises Concerns for West Virginia Democrats

Coal magnate Don Blankenship, a controversial figure with a history of legal troubles and political losses, is once again throwing his hat in the ring for the Senate seat in West Virginia. Running as a Democrat this time, Blankenship is facing backlash from both the party and union allies who are working to prevent his victory in the upcoming primary.

Blankenship, the former chief executive of Massey Energy, spent a year in federal prison for conspiring to violate mine safety laws before a tragic explosion at his West Virginia coal mine killed 29 miners in 2010. Despite his past, Blankenship is adamant that he is the candidate most aligned with West Virginians and is critical of the Democratic Party’s policies.

In the Democratic primary, Blankenship will be up against Wheeling Mayor Glenn Elliott and Marine Corps veteran Zach Shrewsbury. On the Republican side, Governor Jim Justice and Rep. Alex Mooney are competing for the nomination.

Blankenship’s highly publicized trial and his controversial statements have created a toxic atmosphere around his candidacy. Prosecutors portrayed him as a profit-driven micromanager who prioritized profits over safety, leading to the tragic mine explosion. Despite his attempts to shift blame to natural gas and the Obama administration, Blankenship’s actions have been widely condemned.

While Blankenship has spent millions backing GOP candidates in the past, his bid for the Senate as a Democrat has raised eyebrows and drawn criticism from various quarters. Union allies, party leaders, and even fellow candidates have expressed their opposition to Blankenship’s candidacy, citing his troubled past and lack of credibility.

As the primary election approaches, the race in West Virginia is heating up, with Blankenship’s candidacy adding a controversial element to the mix. Whether he can overcome the odds and secure the Democratic nomination remains to be seen, but one thing is certain – his candidacy has sparked a fierce debate about the future of West Virginia and the role of coal in the state’s economy.