Submitted photo Paula Jean Swearengin, who is running for the U.S. Senate seat currently held by Joe Manchin, says her platform priorities include Medicare for all, universal preschool and higher education, clean air and water as well as other concerns.

Submitted photo
Paula Jean Swearengin, who is running for the U.S. Senate seat currently held by Joe Manchin, says her platform priorities include Medicare for all, universal preschool and higher education, clean air and water as well as other concerns.

CHARLESTON — Paula Jean Swearengin filed officially with the Secretary of State’s Office on Jan. 26 to run for the U.S. Senate seat currently held by Joe Manchin.

Swearengin, a coal miner’s daughter and granddaughter, has been traveling throughout West Virginia since May when she officially announced her candidacy. This week she announced new staff and an expanded organization in her continuing bid for the 2018 Democratic nomination.

With thousands of Twitter, Facebook and Reddit users actively promoting her campaign and inspiring donors, Swearengin said she has raised all of her funds through individual donations, refusing corporate and PAC money.

She also said she has amassed a network of hundreds of volunteers on the ground in every congressional district in West Virginia.

A co-management team of Walt Sarkees, of Morgantown, and Brandi Miller, of Buckhannon, will handle day-to-day operations. Teri Dalton, also of Morgantown, has been named campaign treasurer. Saikat Chakrabarti, Justice Democrats executive director and former director of organizing technology for Bernie Sanders’ presidential campaign, will remain as coordinating liaison to the campaign.

Miller says much has been done already, and more is in the works.

“We are busy planning events throughout the state to ensure we reach all voters,” she said in a news release.

Sarkees added, “Big checks from corporate donors can’t buy the level of enthusiasm we’re seeing on the ground. This is a people’s campaign for certain.”

Additional senior communications and coordinator positions are currently being filled. With volunteers in all 55 counties, regional and county captains are being assigned to organize canvassing and sign distribution.

Two national progressive organizations, Brand New Congress and Justice Democrats, have provided strong support and campaign infrastructure for Swearengin, giving her much-needed time to focus on talking to voters and hearing their concerns.

“The working class needs working class representation. Many people, mostly the working class, haven’t been fairly represented in Charleston, and I plan to change that,” Swearengin said in a news release. “Our campaign has talented and energetic West Virginian boots on the ground. We’re backed by a national effort, but we had to bring it home for the final push.”

A native of Mullens, Swearengin grew up with toxic water and saw several members of her family sickened and killed by toxins released from the soil in a community contaminated with acid mine drainage and coal slurry. She said she is a champion for working people who, as is often the case in West Virginia, must make a choice between clean water and a job.

Swearingin’s platform priorities include Medicare for all; diversity in economic development; universal preschool and higher education; clean air and water; and tackling the addiction crisis through long-term peer recovery solutions. Swearingin’s complete platform, with information on how to donate or become a volunteer, can be found on her website, www.paulajean2018.com.