Associated Press Published

Millions in Outside Cash Pours into Rahall-Jenkins Race

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Four months from Election Day, outside liberal and conservative groups have already spent about $3.3 million in ads blasting U.S. Rep. Nick Rahall and his Republican opponent Evan Jenkins.

The conservative Americans for Prosperity and American Energy Alliance have shoveled about $2 million combined into ads. Critics think the 19-term Democrat Rahall is beatable because of President Barack Obama’s unpopularity in West Virginia.
 
Democrats are defending Rahall’s seat through the House Majority PAC, which has spent $1.1 million on ads against Jenkins. The state senator changed from Democrat to Republican to face Rahall.
 
Conservative groups are trying to tie Rahall to Obama, particularly on plans to limit carbon emissions from coal-fired power plants. Rahall opposes the plan, which many West Virginians believe would devastate the state’s signature coal industry.