West Virginia Politics Information Directory

Don Blankenship is notorious in West Virginia, and he's gained increased recognition nationally following the deadly explosion at his company's Upper Big Branch Mine in Montcoal, WV, the worst U.S. coal disaster in 40 years. ... Around $21000 of Maynard's money during the quarter came from Massey employees, Blankenship's family and former political operatives including [Greg] Thomas. All told, around one-third of Maynard's individual contributions came from the energy ...

Manchin's announcement, which came less than a day after he signed legislation teeing up the special election for November, was no surprise to West Virginia political followers who long expected the popular two-term governor to enter ...

What political junkie could ask for more?" -- Larry Sabato, Center for Politics, University of Virginia "If I were on the proverbial desert island and had only one web site to access, Political Wire would be it." ...

Manchin finally made it official: He will run to fill out the remaining two years in the Senate term of the late Robert Byrd.

Just as significantly, he wields tremendous political power in West Virginia and even bought a state Supreme Court seat in 2004. As Ian Millhiser explained last year: When West Virginia coal overlord Don Blankenship's company lost a $50 ...