Ex-coal exec chases US Senate seat despite GOP primary loss

In this May 8, 2018, file photo, former Massey Energy CEO Don Blankenship speaks to supporters in Charleston, W.Va. Despite having lost the Republican primary, convicted ex-coal baron Blankenship said he's going to continue his bid for U.S. Senate as a third-party candidate.

Ex-convict Don Blankenship launches third-party Senate bid in West Virginia

Ex-convict and former coal baron Don Blankenship said Monday he's running as a third-party candidate in West Virginia's Senate race after coming in third in the GOP primary. Blankenship said he accepted the West Virginia Constitution Party's nomination and argued that the "press and the establishment have colluded and lied to convince the public that I am a moron, a bigot and a felon."

Don Blankenship To Mount Third-Party Senate Bid After Losing W.Va. GOP Primary

Former Massey CEO and West Virginia Senatorial candidate, Don Blankenship, speaks during a town hall to kick off his GOP campaign in Logan, W.Va., on Jan. 18, 2018. After losing the Republican primary, Blankenship says he'll run under the Constitution Party banner.

The Latest: Incumbent loses GOP North Carolina House primary

Rick Colyer holds a sticker after placing his vote at the Durham County Library North Regional in Durham, N.C., Tuesday, May 8, 2018. North Carolina voters are choosing their parties' nominees Tuesday in dozens of legislative and congressional primary races congested with contestants who were spurred by strong feelings about President Donald Trump or their state's redistricting struggles.

Morrisey beats Blankenship, Jenkins in West Virginia’s GOP primary

Morrisey beats Blankenship, Jenkins in West Virginia's GOP primary Morrisey's win likely boosts the GOP's chances against Democratic Sen. Joe Manchin in November's general election. Check out this story on USATODAY.com: https://usat.ly/2It9F0x West Virginia Attorney General Patrick Morrisey speaks during a press conference at the Department of Justice in Washington, DC on February 27, 2018.

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.