Don Blankenship

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'Cocaine Mitch' Wants You to Join His 'Cartel'

He's selling campaign T-shirts with cocaine dust

(Newser) - Mitch McConnell is embracing the "Cocaine Mitch" nickname given to him last year, going so far as to sell T-shirts featuring a faceless man (ostensibly McConnell) beside a dusting of white powder. "A year ago, a legend was born. Own your piece of history. #CocaineMitch," McConnell's...

Hell or High Water, Blankenship Says He'll Be on Ballot

Intends to run for US Senate in November as Constitution Party candidate

(Newser) - Don Blankenship's political career isn't going gently into that good night. Though Politico reports he finished "a distant" third in West Virginia's Republican primary for US Senate—state Attorney General Patrick Morrisey secured the nomination—he still plans to vie for the seat and says he...

Democrats Have Little Hope of Taking Senate Now
Democrats Have Little Hope
of Taking Senate Now
OPINION
May 10, 2018 11:41 AM CDT

Democrats Have Little Hope of Taking Senate Now

Don Blankenship's loss makes that clear, according to Politico analysis

(Newser) - Tuesday's primary results brought a dose of reality to Democrats: They have little or no chance of taking control of the Senate next year, writes Charlie Mahtesian at Politico . Democrats' hopes were raised briefly by the prospect of once-imprisoned coal executive Don Blankenship winning the GOP nomination in West...

'Trumpier Than Trump' Candidate Loses in W. Va
'Trumpier Than Trump'
Candidate Loses in W.Va
PRIMARIES
May 9, 2018 12:43 AM CDT

'Trumpier Than Trump' Candidate Loses in W.Va

Don Blankenship finished 3rd in GOP primary

(Newser) - He claimed be "Trumpier than Trump"—but he couldn't overcome President Trump's opposition to his candidacy . Retired coal baron and ex-federal convict Don Blankenship finished in third place in West Virginia's hard-fought Senate primary on Tuesday. State Attorney General Patrick Morrissey won and will face...

What's at Stake in Tuesday's Primaries
What's at Stake in
Tuesday's Primaries
the rundown
May 8, 2018 11:05 AM CDT

What's at Stake in Tuesday's Primaries

4 states go to the polls, with West Virginia's GOP Senate primary among the big races

(Newser) - It's a huge day for both political parties with primary voters in four states—West Virginia, Ohio, Indiana, and North Carolina—going to the polls. Despite the small number of states involved, the results could go a long way in determining which party will be in control of the...

Trump Gives Blankenship a Thumbs-Down, He Pushes Back

'I am Trumpier than Trump and this morning proves it,' says WV Senate candidate

(Newser) - President Trump is urging West Virginia voters to reject a former federal convict and coal baron running in the Republican Senate primary, arguing that Don Blankenship would lose the general election. Trump tweeted on Monday: "To the great people of West Virginia we have, together, a really great chance...

Former Coal Baron Vying for Senate Accused of Racist Ad

Don Blankenship spoke of Mitch McConnell's 'China family'

(Newser) - A former coal executive who served a year in prison related to a 2010 mine explosion in West Virginia that killed 29 people is now denying claims of racism as he seeks a Senate seat in the state. In a new ad , Republican Don Blankenship claims "swamp captain Mitch...

Coal Exec Sentenced to Prison Over Explosion

Blankenship gets 1 year over blast that killed 29

(Newser) - A former coal CEO must go to prison for one year and pay $250,000 for his role in skirting safety rules prior to a mine explosion that killed 29 of his employees. Don Blankenship, who was running Massey Energy at the time of the 2010 blast in West Virginia,...

Coal Baron Convicted in Blast That Killed 29

'Landmark' conviction could send him to jail for one year

(Newser) - Former Massey Energy CEO Don Blankenship was convicted Thursday of a misdemeanor count connected to a deadly coal mine explosion and acquitted of more serious charges. A federal jury in West Virginia convicted Blankenship of conspiring to willfully violate mine safety standards. The misdemeanor charge carries up to one year...

Coal Industry's 'Dark Lord' Will Retire in Style

Opinion: Notorious CEO profits from suffering of workers

(Newser) - Massey Energy CEO Don Blankenship resigned last week without much explanation, soon after a damning profile by Rolling Stone headlined "The Dark Lord of Coal Country," notes Andrew Leonard in Salon . Who knows, maybe that article, looming lawsuits, investigations over tragedies like this fatal mine explosion , and pressure...

Corporate America Has No Shame
 Corporate 
 America 
 Has No 
 Shame 
dana milbank
Jul 24, 2010 10:16 AM CDT

Corporate America Has No Shame

Today's mantra: Don't blame us, blame the government

(Newser) - Corporate America has "lost its sense of shame," writes Dana Milbank. Exhibit A is Don Blankenship of coal giant Massey Energy, who complained that federal regulations make it hard for companies to "pursue their careers, or their happiness." Aw, "poor CEO Blankenship," writes Milbank...

Mine Had 50 Safety Violations Last Month Alone

West Virginia site has spotty record on ventilation

(Newser) - The West Virginia mine where an explosion killed at least 25 men has a checkered safety record, with more than 50 violations last month and 3 deaths since 1998. The violations include ventilation issues, which may be relevant if speculation about a methane explosion proves true, notes Andrea Stone at...

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