LATEST UPDATE: West Virginia State Senate candidate out of surge - WOWK 13 Charleston, Huntington WV News, Weather, Sports

UPDATE (5/11/16)

The candidate brutally attacked at a campaign event this weekend has won the Democratic nominee for state office. Just hours out of surgery with two plates in his left cheek, Richard Ojeda was still shocked he secured the Democratic nominee for the District 7 delegate seat.

"I actually thought that no matter what I wasn't going to be successful because of the machine that has run the area I'm from for so long," Ojeda said from his hospital bed.

Now, his win sending a strong message to what he calls the "good ole boy" network as the only candidate to beat an incumbent in West Virginia's primary election.  

"They're getting fed up and they're getting sick and tired of it and I think they showed that at the polls yesterday," Ojeda added. 

Ojeda now turns his focus to the November election, emphasizing the need for politicians who serve their constituents, not their own agendas.

"I will rattle the chains of everybody that I know, I will be a thorn in the sides of anybody in this state that is supposed to be out there working to get rid of corruption, fraud, waste and abuse," Ojeda explained. 

Ojeda says state officials need to take a hard look at the money coming into Logan County. Money he says is needed to fixing failing roads and utilities in the area.

"If funding is being sent down to southern west Virginia for these things, every single penny needs to be looked into as to where it has went," Ojeda told 13 News.

Ojeda faces Republican Jordan Bridges in the general election.

The man police say attacked Ojeda is Jonathan Porter. He is facing three felony charges in the incident. Porter is being held at the Southwestern Regional Jail on a 75-thousand dollar bond.

UPDATE (5:35 p.m. 5/9/16)

Richard Ojeda told 13 News he's been receiving threatening phone calls for weeks while campaigning for the District 7 State Senate Seat. 

"I've been told quite a few times, buddy you're going to wind up dead floating in the Guyandotte River. I had a person call my house one time tell me he's going to cut my head off. I've had somebody come to my house and rip the wires out of our telephone cable boxes," Ojeda explained. 

Retired veteran Richard Ojeda, said he's had a rough road running for state senate. So he was happy to attend a candidate meet-and-greet Sunday at the Kendall Dingess residence. That is until Jonathan Porter showed up. 

"I mean he showed no signs of anger when he was there, everything was fine. It was uncalled for," Dingess said.

Porter was asking Ojeda for a bumper sticker when he attacked, leaving Ojeda with a fractured face and concussion.

"So I get another bumper sticker, I walk to the front, he tells me where he wants it, I kneel down and as I'm kneeling down putting the bumper sticker on, that's the last thing I remember other than pretty much coming to where my head's on a tree stump and I'm spitting blood," Ojeda added. 

While State Police do not have any indication that another person was involved in planning the attack, Ojeda believes this is just another example of dirty Logan politics.

"I don't understand why he would do anything like this, other than the fact that I really believe this is politically motivated," Ojeda told 13 News.

But Ojeda says the attack won't stop him from running.

"I've spent years dealing with the Taliban and Al Qaeda I'm not scared of these people," Ojeda said. 

Ojeda will be released CAMC General Monday to campaign and be with his family ahead of tomorrow's primary election. He will be back at CAMC later this week for facial surgery. 

Ojeda faces-off against Art Kirkendoll in tomorrow's primary election. 

Logan County's Clerk says they believe the attack was an isolated incident and they do not plan on having extra security at polling locations.

UPDATE (10:37 a.m. 5/9/16)

West Virginia State Deputies told 13 News Jonathan Porter is facing three felony charges including- malicious assault, attempt to commit a malicious assault and felony destruction of property. Porter is being held in the Southwestern Regional Jail. Deputies will continue their investigation today including interviewing witnesses. They have no evidence, of yet, that any other person may be involved in committing the crime.

UPDATE (6:25 a.m. 5/9/16)

West Virginia Senate candidate Richard Ojeda is still in the trauma unit at CAMC General Hospital in Charleston this morning. He is still in need of surgery, which is expected to take place later this week.

His goal is to be out on Tuesday still helping to rally votes.

UPDATE (8:10 p.m. 5/8/16)

West Virginia Senator Ark Kirkendoll, D-Logan, released a statement about the assault of his opponent, Richard Ojeda: 

"I was informed that my opponent was physically assaulted and injured at a political function today. I do not now, nor have I ever, condoned violence. It has no place in our political campaigns or in our communities. My and my family's thoughts and prayers are with my opponent and his family and we wish him a speedy recovery.''

Kirkendoll and Ojeda face off in the primary election Tuesday, May 10, 2016.

UPDATE (7:31 p.m. 5/8/16)

A suspect is in custody in connection with an attack on West Virginia Senate candidate Richard Ojeda.

Jonathan Porter of the Whitman's Creek area of Logan County turned himself in to an off-duty officer at about 6 p.m. Sunday, May 8, 2016. 

A trooper with the West Virginia State Police in Logan County told 13 News that Porter faces three felonies and will be arraigned in Logan County some time Sunday night. 

The trooper also said Porter also rammed two ATVs as he was trying to flee from the incident, including one ATV with a driver.

Ojeda sustained multiple facial fractures and a severe concussion, but is in stable condition, according to the trooper.

ORIGINAL

West Virginia Senate candidate Richard Ojeda is in the hospital Sunday, May 8, 2016, after sustaining injuries from an attack, Ojeda’s wife, Kelly, told 13 News.

Richard Ojeda, a Democratic candidate for District 7 of the West Virginia Senate, was taken to CAMC General Hospital in Charleston.

According to Kelly Ojeda, Richard Ojeda was attending a cookout Sunday in Logan when a man asked Richard Ojeda for a campaign bumper sticker.

Witnesses said when Ojeda bent down to apply the sticker to the man’s vehicle, the man struck Ojeda with brass knuckles eight to nine times, knocking him out. When the man tried to run over Ojeda with his vehicle, several bystanders stepped in to stop the assault.

Richard Ojeda is running against incumbent Sen. Art Kirkendoll, D-Logan.

Logan County dispatchers said the West Virginia State Police is investigating the incident.