Don Blankenship on Principles & Values

	Don Blankenship on Principles & Values WV Senate contender and Constitution Party presidential nominee

Acknowledges blessing of Jesus Christ as ruler of US

The Constitution Party gratefully acknowledges the blessing of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ as Creator, Preserver and Ruler of the Universe and of these United States. We hereby appeal to Him for mercy, aid, comfort, guidance and the protection of His Providence as we work to restore and preserve these United States. This great nation was founded, not by religionists, but by Christians; not on religions but on a foundation of Christian principles and values.

Congress must exert the power it possesses to prohibit all federal courts from hearing cases which Congress deems to be outside federal jurisdiction pursuant to Article III, section 2 of the Constitution. We particularly support all the legislation which would remove from Federal appellate review jurisdiction matters involving acknowledgement of God as the sovereign source of law, liberty, or government.

Source: Constitution Platform adopted by 2020 presidential hopeful , May 2, 2020

Opposed to government involvement in gambling

Gambling increases crimes, destroys families, grows governmental bureaucracies, exploits those who are addicted and leaches the economic prosperity out of our communities. We are opposed to government sponsorship, involvement in or promotion of gambling such as lotteries, casinos or subsidization of Native American casinos. We call for the repeal of federal legislation that usurps state and local authority regarding authorization and regulation of tribal casinos in the states. Source: Constitution Platform adopted by 2020 presidential hopeful , May 2, 2020

Wants to go from the "big house" to the White House

Blankenship, who again wants to run with the Constitution Party, said he was "attempting to be the first person ever to become an occupant of the White House after having been in the 'big house.'" He also promised to be the right candidate for "Americans who can no longer stand the constant drama and haggling that we have seen on our televisions the past three years." Source: Slate.com e-zine on 2020 presidential hopefuls , Nov 11, 2019

Grew up poor, but didn't know it

My life, like most of yours, has had its ups and downs. My father and my mom each worked 80 to 90 hours per week, which taught me to be independent at a very early age.

As the saying goes, we were poor but didn't know it. We had an outhouse that was nicer than the one most of our neighbors had. We always had shoes. My mom was a McCoy, although not directly related to those who feuded with the Hatfield's in the hills of Kentucky where I was born.

My early years were occupied by baseball, pumping gasoline into coal miners' cars at our family gas station, and watching Gunsmoke, Andy Griffith, Bonanza, Wagon Train, and Rawhide--that is, after we got our first television when I was seven years old. The town I lived in most of my first 18 years was Delorme, West Virginia, population of 400 at the time--now maybe 200.

Source: 2020 Presidential campaign website DonBlankenship.com , May 19, 2019

I'm Trumpier than Trump, despite Trump opposition

President Trump took to Twitter to tell West Virginia Republicans not to support Blankenship. Trump tweeted, "To the great people of West Virginia we have, together, a really great chance to keep making a big difference. Problem is, Don Blankenship, currently running for Senate, can't win the General Election in your State...No way! Remember Alabama. Vote Rep. Jenkins or A.G. Morrisey!"

Blankenship reacted to Trump's Twitter criticism by issuing a written statement of response. "West he doesn't know me and he doesn't know how flawed my two main opponents are in this primary. The establishment is misinforming him because they do not want me to be in the U.S. Senate and promote the President's agenda."

Source: NPR on 2018 West Virginia Senate race , May 8, 2018