Richard Ojeda
Richard Neece Ojeda II (/oʊˈdʒɛdə/; born September 25, 1970) is an American politician and retired U.S. Army officer.[1][2] He was the West Virginia State Senator from the 7th district from 2016 to 2019. He is a member of the Democratic Party.
Richard Ojeda | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Member of the West Virginia Senate from the 7th district | |
| In office December 1, 2016 – January 14, 2019 | |
| Preceded by | Art Kirkendoll |
| Succeeded by | Paul Hardesty |
| Personal details | |
| Born | Richard Neece Ojeda II September 25, 1970 Rochester, Minnesota, U.S. |
| Political party | Democratic |
| Spouse(s) | Kelly Ojeda |
| Children | 2 |
| Education | West Virginia State University (BA) Webster University (MBA) |
| Military service | |
| Allegiance |  United States |
| Branch/service |  United States Army |
| Years of service | 1988–2013 |
| Rank |  Major |
| Battles/wars | War in Afghanistan Iraq War |
| Awards |  Bronze Star (2) |
Career
changeOjeda was the Democratic nominee for the U.S. House of Representatives in West Virginia's 3rd congressional district in the 2018 election, but lost that election to Republican Carol Miller.[3]
On November 12, 2018, Ojeda announced his candidacy for President of the United States in the 2020 election.[4] Ojeda was the second office-holding Democrat to announce a campaign for the 2020 U.S. presidential election, the first being Maryland Rep. John Delaney.[5] As no current state legislator has ever made a serious bid for the presidency, Ojeda was considered a "longshot" and "underdog" candidate.[6][7] On January 26, 2019, Ojeda withdrew from the election.[8]
On January 13, 2020, Ojeda announced his campaign for the United States Senate, challenging incumbent Shelley Moore Capito.[9][10] However, he lost the nomination to progressive Paula Jean Swearengin.
In 2023, Ojeda formed "Turn Left PAC" which initially attacked West Virginia Senator Joe Manchin as a "traitor." Although public filings show the PAC has raised minimal funds,[11] in 2024 Ojeda used it to publicly accuse members of Congress who favor American support for Israel's defense as being "corrupt politicians [who] line their pockets with blood money" from the American Israel Public Affairs Committee.
References
change- ↑ "'He's JFK With Tattoos and a Bench Press'". POLITICO Magazine. Retrieved 2018-09-19.
- ↑ "Democrat touts coal, Army background in first ad for W. Va. congressional race". ABC News. 2018-09-12. Retrieved 2018-09-19.
- ↑ "Carol Miller Defeats Richard Ojeda in District 3". WOWK. 2018-11-07. Archived from the original on 2018-11-13. Retrieved 2018-11-12.
- ↑ "W.Va. Sen. Richard Ojeda officially announces run for president in 2020". WSAZ. 2018-11-12. Retrieved 2018-11-12.
- ↑ "Richard Ojeda slams border 'stunt,' plots 2020 bid". MSNBC.com. Retrieved 2018-12-31.
- ↑ Secular Talk, BREAKING: Richard Ojeda Running For President In 2020, retrieved 2018-12-31
- ↑ Malone, Clare (2018-11-12). "Can A Trump Voter From West Virginia Win The 2020 Democratic Primary?". FiveThirtyEight. Retrieved 2018-12-31.
- ↑ The Young Turks (January 25, 2019). "Richard Ojeda's SHOCKING Announcement". youtube.com. Retrieved January 26, 2019.
- ↑ Budryk, Zack (2020-01-13). "Democrat Richard Ojeda announces Senate bid after dropping out of presidential race". TheHill. Retrieved 2020-01-14.
- ↑ Pierson, Lacie (2020-01-13). "Familiar names surge during first day of filing for 2020 election in West Virginia". Charleston Gazette-Mail. Retrieved 2020-01-14.
- ↑ Lash, Ruth Talbot, Brandon Roberts, Nat (2024-10-07). "Turn Left PAC — 527 Explorer". ProPublica. Retrieved 2024-10-15.
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