Rep. Mollohan's Loss Signals Potential Trouble For Dems
By Chad Pergram

Tuesday night, Democratic primary voters in West Virginia showed 28-year Congressional veteran Rep. Alan Mollohan the door.


West Virginia 2nd Congressional District Congressman Alan Mollohan, right, gives a hug to long-time supporter John "Sheriff" Tiano, inside Mollohan's campaign headquarters in Morgantown, W.Va.
Over the weekend, delegates to the Utah Republican convention ousted Sen. Robert Bennett (R-UT) from serving a fourth-term in Washington.

Tuesday night, Democratic primary voters in West Virginia showed 28-year Congressional veteran Rep. Alan Mollohan (D-WV) the door.

Democratic state Sen. Mike Oliverio toppled Mollohan. Oliverio’s victory made Mollohan the first House casualty in what has already been a turbulent midterm election year.

Mollohan is only the second House incumbent to lose in two election cycles. Former Rep. Chris Cannon (R-UT) lost his primary in 2008.

Oliverio went after Mollohan’s alleged ethical lapses. And pro-life Democrats criticized Mollohan for voting in favor of the health care reform bill.

In a statement, Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee Chairman Chris Van Hollen (D-MD) applauded Mollohan for his service in Congress.

“For more than 25 years, Representative Alan Mollohan has been fighting to preserve West Virginia jobs, strengthen the economy and improve quality of life for the families he represents,â€