W.Va.'s 2nd district GOP primary a crowded race

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The Huntington Herald Dispatch
Apr 26, 11:34 AM EDT
W.Va.'s 2nd district GOP primary a crowded race
By JOHN RABY
Associated Press

CHARLESTON, W.Va. (AP) -- Two former state political party chairmen are among the candidates in West Virginia's 2nd congressional district primary race left wide open by Rep. Shelley Moore Capito's decision to run for a U.S. Senate seat.

Seven Republicans and two Democrats hope to earn their parties' nominations on May 13 and advance to the November general election. The GOP is looking to keep its grip on the seat currently held by the seven-term Republican Capito, who is seeking the Senate seat being vacated by the retiring Jay Rockefeller.

Former state Democratic Party chairman Nick Casey is considered the front-runner in a two-candidate primary with backing from business, labor and U.S. Sen. Joe Manchin. His opponent is state Delegate Meshea Poore. Both are attorneys.

In a state that has been growing slightly more Republican in recent years, the GOP plans to make Democrats' policies on energy a central issue, including the Obama administration's proposed stringent regulations for new coal-fired power plants. President Barack Obama won just 35.5 percent of the statewide vote in 2012, losing in every West Virginia county.... MORE