Don Blankenship speaking at a campaign event at the Chief Logan Lodge, Hotel and Conference Center.

CHARLESTON, W.Va. — Former coal executive Don Blankenship is running for president.

The Associated Press first reported Blankenship, who last year unsuccessfully ran for U.S. Senate, announced the move during the Constitution Party’s national committee meeting in Pittsburgh on Saturday.

Blankenship finished third in last year’s Republican primary and attempted to run for the office representing the Constitution Party. The state blocked Blankenship’s second attempt, citing West Virginia’s “sore loser” law.

Blankenship previously served as the CEO of Massey Energy and served a one-year sentence for conspiring to violate federal mine safety standards in light of the Upper Big Branch Mine explosion.

Blankenship switched his party registration earlier this year to Democrat. According to state records accessed Monday, he is re-registered with the Constitution Party.