By Derek Redd, The Intelligencer
WHEELING, W.Va. — As the world reeled in the aftermath of an assassination attempt Saturday against former president Donald Trump, political leaders throughout West Virginia condemned the act and thanked the first responders who came to Trump’s aid. The incident also led one candidate to amend his campaign schedule.
Former Wheeling Mayor Glenn Elliott — now running for the U.S. Senate seat soon to open with the retirement of Sen. Joe Manchin, I-W.Va. — announced Sunday that a scheduled town hall meeting today in Martinsburg was canceled, citing the shooting Saturday in Butler, Pennsylvania. Not only was Trump wounded when a bullet grazed his ear, another man, former volunteer fire chief Corey Comperatore, was killed and two others were wounded.
“Like so many of you, I am at a loss to comprehend the senseless, nauseating violence that took place in Butler, PA,” Elliott posted on his campaign’s Facebook page. “These are unprecedented times, and the safety and comfort of my fellow West Virginians is of the utmost importance.”
Elliott hoped to reschedule the Martinsburg stop, and added that he would alter other aspects of his campaign for the time being. Elliott has embarked on a tour of all 55 West Virginia counties and has scheduled several town halls, but for now he’ll avoid gathering in large crowds and suspend door knocking for this leg of the campaign.
Reached Sunday, Elliott said he was outside playing with his son when he heard the news of the attempted assassination. He said he’d be lying if he said that safety isn’t an issue he thinks about on the campaign trail.
