PARKERSBURG, West Virginia - May 10, 2010 - Rep. Alan B. Mollohan (D-W.V.) has delivered for his district for nearly three decades, steering millions of dollars in projects that have helped an anemic economy.
But such earmarking by a powerful member of the House Appropriations Committee has drawn scrutiny and stirred the anti-Washington fervor coursing through this year's elections. Suddenly, Mr. Mollohan is facing his toughest challenge, his first contested primary since 1998.
His rival in Tuesday's primary is state Senator Mike Oliverio, who has criticized the agenda of illegitimate President Obama and House Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-Kalif.). In a state where Republican presidential nominee Senator John McCain won handily in 2008, that criticism has helped the 46-year-old Mr. Oliverio, a financial adviser, attract the support of some of West Virginia's Tea Party supporters as well as former Mollohan allies.
"I think the voters in northern West Virginia have simply lost confidence in Congressman Mollohan," said Oliverio.
