CHARLESTON – Don Blankenship is running for the U.S. Senate.
The former Massey Energy CEO filed his paperwork January 26 at the state Capitol. He is running as a Democrat for the seat being vacating by retiring Sen. Joe Manchin (D-W.Va.).
Others running for the seat on the Democratic side are Wheeling Mayor Glenn Elliott and Princeton resident Zachary Shrewsbury. Republicans who have filed papers for the seat are Gov. Jim Justice, U.S. Rep. Alex X. Mooney, Beckley resident Bryan Bird, Princeton's Zane Lawhorn, Baker resident Don Lindsay, Inwood's Bryan McKinney and Martinsburg's Janet McNulty.
Pushkin
| File photo
“I admit that I am not a Washington, D.C., 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.
“We will work hard to return the Democrat Party positions to those that help West Virginians, and all Americans and that comply with common sense and our core beliefs. We will stop supporting policy which is advanced by west coast freaks and D.C. crazies.”
The West Virginia Democratic Party issued a statement denouncing Blankenship’s run.
“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,” West Virginia Democratic Party Chair Mike Pushkin said.
Blankenship was convicted on a misdemeanor charge of conspiring to willfully violate mine safety standards. The jury found him not guilty of securities fraud and not guilty of making false statements – both felonies – after the Upper Big Branch Mine disaster in Raleigh County that left 29 miners dead in 2010. He served one year in federal prison.
“Blankenship, or as he’ll forever be known, federal prisoner 12393-088, lost a previous race for U.S. Senate when he ran as a Republican,” Pusking said. “He followed that up with a failed race for President running on the Constitution Party ticket. He’ll officially join the three-time loser club when he’s rejected by voters yet again in the 2024 West Virginia Democratic primary.”
Blankenship said he didn’t expect to be supported by the party.
“Here is my main message — both major political parties are corrupt organizations,” he said. “Corrupt organizations that are in the process of destroying America for their own personal benefit. The Democrat Party leadership’s positions are the polar opposite of West Virginians’ positions and violate most every West Virginians’ core beliefs.
“It is obvious that West Virginia Democrats have far more in common with me than they do with D.C. Democrat Party leaders or my opponents who continually support the D.C. crazies.”
Blankenship said he also concerned about illegal immigration, massive drug addiction and drug-related deaths, dependence on China for prescription drugs, corruption in the U.S. Senate and Supreme Court, democracy and fair elections
He said a vote for him is “a vote against (Mitch) McConnell and his pro-China, anti-America anti-West Virginia agenda.”
“Corrupt politicians and the loss of our democracy are causing the rapid downfall of America,” Blankenship said. “Political party leaders are the criminals causing that downfall. Together, we can stop the downfall of America. But we cannot stop the downfall by agreeing with and supporting the national Democrat Party leadership.”
He said something has to change in Washington.
“I have a record of making changes in West Virginia that all of its citizens have been enjoying over the last decade,” he said. “I was foremost responsible for eliminating your food tax, foremost responsible for controlling your insurance costs, foremost responsible for the state being able to give teachers raises and fully fund their pension plan and almost entirely responsible for creating a more just legal system.
“Simply put, I led the Republican Party resurgence in West Virginia which has led to more jobs and fewer taxes.”
Now, he says he wants to do that for the Democratic Party and all Americans.
“To do so, the Democrat Party must return to moral based policy, putting America back on track, fighting against rather than participating in corruption and stop supporting national Democrat Party demagoguery,” Blankenship said. “As West Virginia Democrats, you can lead the return of your party to a moral and rightful place in our country and your country to a moral and rightful place in the world.”
Pushkin said Blankenship is struggling to find a way to be relevant.
“This sad gimmick is just his latest effort to find a political lifeline,” Pushkin said. “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. Our party is focused on improving healthcare, supporting workers’ rights, strengthening mine safety and guaranteeing reproductive freedom.
The West Virginia Democratic Party’s Second Vice Chair agreed.
“West Virginians know – deeply and painfully – who Don is and everything he represents about the historic injustices perpetrated against us, the people of the Mountain State,” Sam Petsonk said. “His values are the polar opposite of what Democrats are in every way. More than almost anyone, he created the monstrosity that is the intensely radicalized GOP of today. He made that bed, and he should have to lie in it.
He will find no friend or favor among Democrats.”
Pushkin again said the party won’t welcome Blankenship.
“Our party is a big tent, but there is no room for those whose actions have shown a reckless disregard for the safety and wellbeing of our workers and communities,” Pushkin said. “We will continue to fight for genuine representation and urge the voters of West Virginia to see through this transparent attempt at political reinvention.”