The West Virginia Supreme Court sided with the Secretary of State’s Office Wednesday, upholding the state’s decision to block Don Blankenship from running for Senate with the Constitution Party after losing in the GOP Senate primary.
Five justices — three of whom were tapped from the circuit court level — heard arguments Wednesday regarding whether to compel Secretary of State Mac Warner to place Blankenship on the general election ballot.
The court issued an order several hours after hearing arguments, heeding a request for expedited consideration.
“The West Virginia Secretary of State is ordered to take whatever measures are necessary to ensure that Donald L. Blankenship does not appear on the 2018 General Election Ballot for the Office of United States Senator for the State of West Virginia,” the order states.
“For those who believe in democracy, it is a frightening decision,” he said. “Essentially, the Republican Party can now slander a candidate throughout the Primary, effectively denying that candidate an equal opportunity to win the nomination, and simultaneously pass a law in the middle of an election cycle which prohibits the slandered person from being on the General election ballot. Americans desperately need to pay attention as the politicians continue to move voters to the sidelines and out of the election process.”
Warner issued a statement as well, calling the ruling a “victory” for the office, and commending his legal team for its work.
“This decision puts the issue to rest and allows voters going to the polls to know with certainty who will be on the ballot,” he said. “The Court’s decision also validates the “sore loser” law ending any chance for those candidates thinking they will have endless bites at the same apple.”
Good news.