United States House of Representatives elections in West Virginia, 2008

The 2008 congressional elections in West Virginia will be held on November 4, 2008 to determine who will represent the state of West Virginia in the United States House of Representatives. West Virginia has three seats in the House, apportioned according to the 2000 United States Census. Representatives are elected for two-year terms; whoever is elected will serve in the 111th Congress from January 4, 2009 until January 3, 2011. The election coincides with the 2008 U.S. presidential election.

The statewide Primary election was held May 13, 2008.

The only race not forecasted as safe for the incumbent party is District 2.

District breakdown

District 1

Democratic incumbent Alan Mollohan is running unopposed. CQ Politics has ranked the race as 'Safe Democrat'.
* [http://www.cqpolitics.com/wmspage.cfm?docID=district-RI-01 Race ranking and details] from CQ Politics
* [http://www.opensecrets.org/races/summary.php?id=RI01&cycle=2008 Campaign contributions] from OpenSecrets.org

District 2

Republican incumbent Shelley Moore Capito ( [http://www.capitoforcongress.com/ campaign website] ) is being challenged by Anne Barth ( [http://www.annebarthforcongress.com/ campaign website] ), a longtime former aide to U.S. Senator Robert Byrd. CQ Politics has ranked the race 'Leans Republican'.

In 2006, Capito was reelected with 57%, a solid margin, but not a sign of political security. She faced a potentially difficult challenge from state Sen. John Unger (D), but Unger surprised many when he dropped out of the race. [Mannix Porterfield, [http://www.register-herald.com/local/local_story_151203047.html State Sen. Unger running for U.S. Congress] "The Register Herald" May 21, 2007 Retrieved June 2, 2007] The DCCC had called this race " a top target," and insist that it is still winnable. [Tom Searls, [http://sundaygazettemail.com/News/200801270344 Barth files to unseat Capito] "Saturday Gazette-Mail", January 28, 2008] Bush won 57% here in 2004.
* [http://www.cqpolitics.com/wmspage.cfm?docID=district-WV-02 Race ranking and details] from CQ Politics
* [http://www.opensecrets.org/races/summary.php?id=WV02&cycle=2008 Campaign contributions] from OpenSecrets.org
*dmoz|Regional/North_America/United_States/West_Virginia/Society_and_Culture/Politics/Candidates_and_Campaigns/US_House/Congressional_District_2/Anne_Barth_%5bD%5d|Anne Barth

District 3

Democratic incumbent Nick Rahall is being challenged by Republican Marty Gearheart. CQ Politics has ranked the race as 'Safe Democrat'.
* [http://www.cqpolitics.com/wmspage.cfm?docID=district-WV-03 Race ranking and details] from CQ Politics
* [http://www.opensecrets.org/races/summary.php?id=WV03&cycle=2008 Campaign contributions] from OpenSecrets.org

References

External links

* [http://www.wvsos.com/elections/ Elections] at the "West Virginia Secretary of State"
* [http://www.votesmart.org/election_congress_state.php?state_id=WV&go33.x=8&go33.y=7 U.S. Congress candidates for West Virginia] at Project Vote Smart
* [http://www.2008racetracker.com/page/West+Virginia West Virginia U.S. House Races] from "2008 Race Tracker"
* [http://www.opensecrets.org/races/election.php?state=WV Campaign contributions for West Virginia congressional races] from OpenSecrets.org

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