W.Va. House Democrats face challenge

http://www.timeswv.com/westvirginia/x1984797835/W-Va-House-Democrats-face-challenge#sthash.ezH3GB0l.dpuf

The Times West Virginian
March 23, 2014
W.Va. House Democrats face challenge
By Jonathan Mattise Associated Press

CHARLESTON — By tying West Virginia Democrats to all things Obama and Washington D.C., Republicans hope they can claim key congressional wins and end 85 years of Democratic rule in the state House of Delegates in one election.

West Virginia has drawn national attention for races that could dictate control on Capitol Hill, including a likely U.S. Senate matchup between West Virginia Democratic Secretary of State Natalie Tennant and Republican U.S. Rep. Shelley Moore Capito. Senate Democrats are clinging to a slim majority in Congress’ upper chamber.

At the same time, West Virginia Democrats face their biggest challenge in decades for control of the House of Delegates, where all 100 seats are up for election. Republicans, who trail Democrats by six seats, last held a House majority in 1928.

West Virginia drifted away from presidential Democrats long before Obama. Its voters haven’t picked a Democrat over a Republican since Bill Clinton in 1996. The state currently has one Democrat and two Republican House members, and two Democratic senators.... MORE