Richard Ojeda, 45, filed his lawsuit Sept. 26 against Jonathan Porter. Ojeda defeated Democratic incumbent Art Kirkendoll just days after he was attacked at a pre-primary political cookout.
Ojeda claims Porter, 41, “negligently and/or willfully and intentionally set upon the plaintiff and battered plaintiff with his fists and/or other objects.”
In his complaint, Ojeda says he suffered multiple facial fractures and other injuries that required him to undergo medical treatment and incur medical expenses.
Media reports of the May 8 incident say Porter asked Ojeda to place a bumper sticker on his vehicle and then began beating him. Witnesses say Porter then tried to hit Ojeda with his vehicle. Porter was arrested and charged with felony destruction of property, malicious assault and attempt to commit a felony.
Porter was arrested and charged with felony destruction of property, malicious assault and attempt to commit a felony.
Ojeda is a retired U.S. Army Major. He needed two plates surgically inserted into his left cheek after the attack, which he says was politically motivated.
“I have faced the Taliban and I have faced Al Qaeda,” he told WSAZ-TV at the time. “I’m not going to come back here and have fear of people who are not as educated as me. They are not as strong willed as I am,” Ojeda said.
Ojeda is facing Republican Jordan Ray Bridges in the Nov. 8 election.
“My opponent is actually a friend of mine,” Ojeda told WSAZ in May. “He’s a fine young man. He’s honorable. He’s a coal miner. I look forward to an election where there’s no mudslinging.”
Ojeda is being represented by Charleston attorney Mike Clifford. The case has been assigned to Circuit Judge Doug Witten.
Logan Circuit Court case number 16-C-197
