Anti-incumbent fever has stricken West Virginia Democratic Rep. Alan B. Mollohan, chairman of a House Appropriations subcommittee. He has lost his bid to represent Democrats in this Fall's West Virginia 1st Congressional District race. Rep. Mollohan didn't even have a primary challenger last year.
Longtime West Virginia Democratic Rep. Alan B. Mollohan on Tuesday became the latest casualty of the nation's anti-incumbent fever, losing to state Sen. Mike Oliverio in the state's 1st Congressional District primary in the most closely watched race as three states held primary contests Tuesday.
"Everybody's excited, especially about the decisiveness of this win" Oliverio campaign manager Curtis Wilkerson said at the victory party. "We've fulfilled a mandate with the Democratic party."
Why did Rep. Mollohan lose? Reportedly, voters were angry over his support of bailouts and health care reform.
The 66-year-old Mr. Mollohan, who succeeded his father in the seat, came under criticism this election cycle for lingering ethics issues and voting in favor of the 2008 economic bailout and President Obama's health care overhaul bill, which cost him the support ofpro-lifegroups concerned about increased federal funding for abortion.
Susan B. Anthony List President Marjorie Dannenfelser, an anti-abortion activist who campaigned against the incumbent, said his health care vote had cost him his job.
"Congressman Mollohan now fully realizes that votes do have consequences. Mollohans loss comes as a direct result of his vote for health care reform that included federal funding of abortion," she said Tuesday night.
1 comment:
If they voted for TARP, the Stimulus or health care reform, they should be thrown out.
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