Former Coal Executive Don Blankenship Files for Senate as a Democrat

Blankenship, previously a Republican candidate, enters the race for the seat being vacated by West Virginia Sen. Joe Manchin.

Don Blankenship, a former coal executive, has filed to run for the Senate seat being vacated by West Virginia Sen. Joe Manchin, this time as a Democrat.
Blankenship, who lost a bid for the Senate as a Republican in 2018, has been a polarizing figure due to his conviction for conspiring to violate safety standards at a mine where an explosion killed 29 men.
The former CEO of Massey Energy served a year in federal prison and his conviction was upheld by the U.S. Supreme Court in 2022.
Despite his controversial past, Blankenship has expressed confidence in his candidacy, stating that he believes West Virginia Democrats and Independents will vote for him.
Blankenship also ran for president in 2020 as the nominee for the right-wing Constitution Party.