Ex-prosecutor of 'King of Coal' to run for West Virginia governor
Source: Reuters
The former U.S. attorney who gained the conviction of West Virginia's "King of Coal" over a deadly mine blast said on Wednesday he would run for governor as a Democrat.
Booth Goodwin gained national attention last month for his successful prosecution of former Massey Energy Chief Executive Don Blankenship on a misdemeanor charge of conspiring to violate mine safety standards at the Upper Big Branch mine. A 2010 blast at the site killed 29 miners.
Goodwin resigned as U.S. attorney for West Virginia's Southern District last week. He announced in Charleston that he would run to succeed Governor Earl Ray Tomblin, also a Democrat, who is not seeking re-election.
The other Democratic candidates include coal and resort entrepreneur Jim Justice and state Senator Jeff Kessler. The Republican field is headed by state Senate President Bill Cole.
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Read more: http://www.reuters.com/article/us-west-virginia-politics-idUSKBN0UL08820160107
Politics | Wed Jan 6, 2016 9:35pm EST
HUNTINGTON, W. VA. | BY KARA VAN PELT