14-Term Democrat Ousted in W.Va Primary

Alan Mollohan becomes first House incumbent rejected
By Rob Quinn,  Newser Staff
Posted May 11, 2010 11:32 PM CDT
Updated May 12, 2010 5:39 AM CDT
14-Term Democrat Ousted in W.Va Primary
West Virginia 1st Congressional District Democratic candidate Mike Oliverio talks with the media at his campaign headquarters in Morgantown, W.Va.    (AP Photo/Dale Sparks)

Long-serving West Virginia Democrat Alan Mollohan has become the first House incumbent to be ousted in this year's primaries. The 14-term congressman lost heavily to challenger Mike Oliviero, who ran a campaign attacking Mollohan's ethics, the AP reports. Oliviero, who won the support of conservative media, repeatedly called his rival "one of the most corrupt congressman."

Mollohan also took heat for not opposing the cap-and-trade bill firmly enough, and was targeted by pro-life groups for voting for health care reform. After his defeat, Mollohan said he had faced a "strong headwind" because of voter dissatisfaction and anti-incumbent sentiment. "It's true there is definitely a wave out there, a national mood and wave," he said. (More West Virginia primary stories.)

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