Curtis Tate Published

Don Blankenship, Now A Democrat, Files To Run For U.S. Senate

An older man speaks into a microphone, as red, white, and blue balloons are seen behind his head.
In this May 8, 2018 file photo, former Massey Energy CEO Don Blankenship speaks to supporters in Charleston, W.Va.
Tyler Evert/AP

Convicted coal executive Don Blankenship has filed to run for U.S. Senate – as a Democrat.

The filing appeared Friday on the West Virginia Secretary of State’s website.

Blankenship, the former CEO of Massey Energy, was convicted of violating federal mine safety law in a 2015 trial. Twenty-nine miners at Massey’s Upper Big Branch mine were killed in 2010.

Blankenship tried unsuccessfully to appeal his conviction. He served a year in prison. He ran for U.S. Senate as a Republican in 2018 and for president in 2020 on the Constitution Party ticket.

Two other Democrats have filed to run this year to succeed U.S. Sen Joe Manchin, who’s not seeking re-election. They are Wheeling Mayor Glenn Elliott and Marine Corps veteran Zach Shrewsbury.

The winner will face either Republican Gov. Jim Justice or Republican Rep. Alex Mooney in November. 

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