Man Charged With Attacking West Virginia Senate Candidate

The Democrat and military veteran said he suffered eight bone fractures and three lacerations to his face

West Virginia State Police say they've charged a man with attacking a state Senate candidate at a political cookout.

Senior Trooper J.E. Garren said Jonathan Porter is charged with malicious assault, attempted malicious assault and felony destruction of property in the beating on Sunday of Richard Ojeda, who's running as a Democrat for a state Senate seat. 

Garren said Porter asked Ojeda to put a bumper sticker on his truck, and then attacked him with brass knuckles. Garren said police don't know what motivated the attack in Logan County.

He said others at the gathering stopped the beating, called police and tried to prevent Porter from leaving, but he rammed their vehicles with his and fled. Garren said Porter turned himself in several hours later.

Online jail records don't show whether Porter has an attorney.

West Virginia's primary will be held Tuesday.

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