Associated Press Published

Ex-Dem Nominee Starts 3rd-Party West Virginia Governor Bid

Charlotte Pritt

West Virginia’s Democratic nominee for governor from 10 years ago is jumping into this year’s race outside of the two major political parties.

Charlotte Pritt filed paperwork with the secretary of state Friday to run for governor as a member of the Mountain Party, West Virginia’s Green Party affiliate.

Pritt, who was a pro-labor, liberal member of the state House and Senate, defeated now-U.S. Sen. Joe Manchin for the Democratic nomination for governor in 1996. She lost to former Republican Gov. Cecil Underwood in the general election.

Pritt says she supported Bernie Sanders and will vote for the Green Party’s Jill Stein for president.

Pritt joins billionaire Democratic businessman Jim Justice, Republican state Senate President Bill Cole and Libertarian farmer David Moran on the November ballot.