West Virginia Democratic Party Condemns Don Blankenship’s Senate Run as a Democrat

The West Virginia Democratic Party has expressed strong opposition to former coal executive Don Blankenship’s decision to run for one of West Virginia’s U.S. Senate seats as a Democrat. Blankenship, who was convicted in 2015 for his role in violating mine safety standards at the Upper Big Branch mine where 29 miners lost their lives, has a controversial history in West Virginia politics.

Despite previously running for U.S. Senate as a Republican in 2018 and as a presidential candidate in 2020, Blankenship is now seeking the Democratic nomination for the upcoming election. The West Virginia Democratic Party Chair, Mike Pushkin, made it clear that Blankenship does not align with the values of the Democratic Party and criticized his attempt at political reinvention.

Blankenship, who once described himself as “Trumpier than Trump,” faces competition from other Democratic candidates in the primary, including Wheeling Mayor Glenn Elliot and Zachary Shrewsbury of Princeton. The current U.S. Senate seat is held by Senator Joe Manchin, who announced he will not seek re-election.

The controversy surrounding Blankenship’s candidacy highlights the complexities of West Virginia politics and the ongoing debate over representation and accountability in the state. Voters will have the opportunity to make their voices heard in the upcoming election, as Blankenship seeks to secure the Democratic nomination once again.