NRCC MEMO: WEST VIRGINIA PRIMARY RESULTS
TO: INTERESTED PARTIES
FROM: NRCC POLITICAL AND NRCC COMMUNICATIONS
DATE: MAY 11, 2010
SUBJECT: WEST VIRGINIA PRIMARY RESULTS
An historically Democratic state, West Virginia has been trending in the GOP’s direction for years. The War on Coal currently being waged by Washington Democrats, in tandem with their agenda of more spending and less jobs, has only accelerated the pace. As a result, House Republicans are poised to make big gains in the Mountaineer State this fall. Buoyed by tonight’s primary results that place top-tier challengers on the ballot, Republicans are aiming to hold each of the state’s three congressional seats by next January.
WV-01 (Rep. Alan Mollohan, D)
Tonight, 27-year incumbent Rep. Alan Mollohan became the first member of the U.S. House to be defeated in 2010. Soiled by an FBI ethics investigation, Mollohan suffered a 12-point defeat in his own primary to state Sen. Mike Oliverio. But his fortunes may be short-lived after West Virginians discover his refusal to oppose Obamacare and his history of voting to raise taxes.
Republicans nominated former state Delegate and GOP state chairman David McKinley, a successful small businessman who overcame tremendous obstacles to win the Republican primary. Facing strong competition from businessman Mac Warner and former state Senator Sarah Minear, McKinley ran a smart, well-funded campaign that focused on the need to create jobs for West Virginians. He was rewarded with an eight percent victory and goes into the general election the favorite in a district Obama overwhelmingly lost. McKinley is in the NRCC Young Guns program as a “Contender” candidate.
History: George W. Bush won this district in 2004 with 58% of the vote and John McCain won with 57% in 2008.
Geography: The First Congressional District consists of northern West Virginia, including the entire Northern panhandle and parts of the Eastern Panhandle. Wheeling, Parkersburg, Clarksburg, Fairmont and Morgantown – home of West Virginia University – are the largest towns in the First District.
WV-03 (Rep. Nick Rahall, D)
Thirty-three-year incumbent Nick Rahall notched an underwhelming primary victory against political unknown Bruce Barilla. Even Democratic primary voters understand that President Obama’s War on Coal – and Rep. Rahall’s complicity in it – strike at the heart of southern West Virginia’s way of life.
Former state Supreme Court Justice Spike Maynard, with 92% of precincts in, holds the lead in the running to become the GOP choice to challenge Rahall in the fall. Maynard, a former Democrat, became a Republican because the Democratic Party no longer reflects the conservative values shared by most West Virginians. The incumbent, in a sure sign that he senses a strong challenge, has already begun falsely attacking Maynard. But Rahall, a lockstep liberal who’s voted for nearly every major piece of the Obama agenda, will be hard-pressed to defend his own record in a district that continues to grow more Republican each year. Maynard is in the NRCC Young Guns program as an “On the Radar” candidate.
History: In 2004, George W. Bush easily carried the district with 53% of the vote while John McCain carried the district with 56% in 2008.
Geography: The Third Congressional District covers the southern portion of the state, anchored by Beckley and Huntington – home of Marshall University. This region is the heart of West Virginia’s coal country.
RESULTS
The following are the unofficial results from Tuesday’s primary election in West Virginia. These results are UNOFFICIAL AND INCOMPLETE until certified by the West Virginia Secretary of State.
WV-01 (REPUBLICAN PRIMARY)
Precincts Reporting: 98%
David McKinley 35%
Mac Warner 27%
Sarah Minear 21%
WV-03 (REPUBLICAN PRIMARY)
Precincts Reporting: 92%
Spike Maynard 30%
Marty Gearheart 28%
Conrad Lucas 25%
WV-01 (DEMOCRAT PRIMARY)
Precincts Reporting: 98%
Mike Oliverio 56%
Alan Mollohan 44%
WV-03 (DEMOCRAT PRIMARY)
Precincts Reporting: 92%
Nick Rahall 67%
Bruce Barilla 33%
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