Blankenship Announces Senate Run

Former Massey Energy chief executive officer Don Blankenship plans to run for U.S. Senate. Blankenship filed his federal election official papers Tuesday as a Republican. Blankenship has been a long-time critic of Democratic U.S. Sen. Joe Manchin, who is seeking re-election. In the Republican primary, Blankenship will square of against U.S. Rep. Evan Jenkins and West Virginia Attorney General Patrick Morrisey. Blankenship served a one-year sentence at a California prison for conspiring to willfully violate mine safety standards related to the Upper Big Branch Mine explosion.