GOP frets over West Virginia as 4 states decide primaries

In this Jan. 18, 2018, file photo, former Massey CEO and West Virginia Republican Senatorial candidate, Don Blankenship, speaks during a town hall to kick off his campaign in Logan, W.Va. Voters in the heart of Trump country are ready to decide the fate of Republican Senate candidate Don Blankenship, a brash businessman with a checkered past who's testing the appeal of President Donald Trump's outsider playbook in one of the nation's premiere midterm contests.

Trump says Republicans shouldn’t back ex-coal exec in West Virginia U.S. Senate race

U.S. President Donald Trump on Monday waded into the U.S. Senate race in West Virginia, urging Republicans to reject former coal executive Don Blankenship and instead vote for either U.S. Representative Evan Jenkins or state Attorney General Patrick Morrisey. FILE PHOTO - Former Massey Energy Chief Executive Don Blankenship is talking on his mobile phone as he walks into the Robert C. Byrd U.S. Courthouse in Charleston, West Virginia December 3, 2015.

Divisive former coal baron at center of party-backed super PAC primary fight

Former coal mogul Don Blankenship is at the center of a party-backed, super PAC , Senate primary fight in West Virginia as groups with obscure names and undisclosed donors spend millions. The proxy fight -- an effort to sway the Republican primary by influencing whether Blankenship makes it onto the ballot in November - has made the Senate bid one of the most expensive races so far this year.

Ex-coal baron takes swipe at “China people” in political ad

An ex-coal executive who's running for U.S. Senate after serving a one-year prison sentence has unleashed a political ad that takes swipes at "China people" and calls the Senate majority leader "Cocaine Mitch." Former Massey Energy CEO Don Blankenship, a Republican, is seeking the West Virginia seat now held by Democratic Sen. Joe Manchin, but his ad disparages Kentucky GOP Sen. Mitch McConnell.

Copley enjoying Senate campaign, believes he still has shot

Although running for U.S. Senate has caused him to drive across the state on multiple occasions, Republican candidate and former coal miner Bo Copley says it's been a great experience. "For me being in the southern part of the state, we had a debate in Wheeling which was over four hours away.

Ex-con candidate compounding GOP woes in West Virginia

In this Jan. 18, 2018, file photo, former Massey CEO and West Virginia Republican Senatorial candidate, Don Blankenship, speaks during a town hall to kick off his campaign in Logan, W.Va. Blankenship doesn't care if his party and his president don't think he can beat Democratic Sen. Joe Manchin this fall.

Manchin Has Heavy War Chest in Senate Contest

Democratic U.S. Sen. Joe Manchin has built a significant fundraising chest in his bid for a second full six-year term, far outpacing West Virginia Republicans hoping to defeat him this fall. Manchin's campaign has raised $4.5 million since the start of 2017 and had $5.4 million in cash on hand at the end of March, according to filings with the Federal Election Commission.

Don Blankenship, Dead Miners, Humility, and the Limits of Free Speech in West Virginia

Don Blankenship, former coal company executive who was convicted of federal safety violations that led to the deaths of 29 coal miners in 2010, is now running for U.S. Senate. I was sitting at home in West Virginia tonight when a call came in from the U.S. Senate campaign for Don Blankenship.

Willis plans to bring new eyes to U.S. senate

And Willis views that as an asset in his run for the U.S. senate seat held by Democrat incumbent Joe Manchin. "It's going to take someone who is coming from the outside with fresh ideas about business, how the economy works and how currency flows, to make the changes that we need, " Willis is one of six Republican challengers - along with U.S. Rep. Evan Jenkins, State Attorney General Patrick Morrisey, former Massey Energy CEO Don Blankenship, Bo Copley and Jack Newbrough -all who will run in the May 8 primary.

Convicted ex-coal CEO launches US Senate bid with town hall

An ex-coal company executive who went to prison for charges stemming from the deadliest U.S. mine disaster in four decades kicked off his U.S. Senate bid Thursday evening, telling an audience he backs President Donald President Trump as a real opportunity for West Virginia. Ex-Massey Energy boss Don Blankenship received several ovations from more than 100 supporters present at his town hall-styled kickoff event in Logan.

Convicted ex-coal CEO woos working class, opening Senate bid

Blankenship will face two other Republican candi... . Former Massey CEO and West Virginia Republican Senatorial candidate, Don Blankenship, greets supporters, Doug Smith, left, of Chapmanville, W.Va., and Wanda Smith, right, of prior to a town hall in Logan, W.Va., Thursday, Jan. ... .

EPA official speaks on risk of climate change to toxic sites

The grandparents of 13 starved and tortured children say their son's family looked happy and healthy when they last visited California six years ago. Former Massey Energy CEO Don Blankenship kicks off pro-Trump Senate bid in West Virginia with town hall-styled event.