Instead of spending election day pounding the pavement, a West Virginia state senate candidate was in surgery after being severely attacked Sunday, just days before the state’s primary election.
“All….still in the hospital. They just informed me that they are taking me to surgery to fix my face (if that’s possible). I thank everyone for your support. Today is Election Day! Vote! Remember that people have gave their lives so you can have that voice,” Richard Ojeda, 45, posted on his personal Facebook page Tuesday morning.
Ojeda was at a cookout when he was allegedly asked to put a bumper sticker on a truck by Jonathon Porter, 41, a man he had known since childhood, State Trooper Zachary Holden said, although the exact details are not entirely clear.
But what seemed like an innocent request turned violent when Porter allegedly grabbed an item out of his truck and struck Ojeda on the back of his head, Holden said.
According to witnesses, the suspect had attempted to hit Ojeda with his Toyota Tacoma truck.
He suffered multiple facial fractures, but is now in stable condition, according to Holden.
Ojeda, a retired Army officer, posted on his public Facebook page a picture of himself in the hospital on Sunday.
“Sorry for the pic but make no mistake….I am now even more dedicated to the cause. This doesn’t scare me and I don’t quit! This was premeditated and there was a reason the guy did this. Regardless….if anyone thinks that this will get me to march in line you obviously don’t know me very well,” Ojeda wrote.
Porter was arrested and in custody on Sunday and is being held on suspicion of malicious assault, malicious attempted assault and felony destruction of property.
FIrst Sgt. Andy Perdue said the motive of the attack is currently unknown and the defendant’s attorney is also not known at this time.