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West Virginia Republican Appears To Decline Run For Senate

07/21/10-by Bridgette P. LaVictoire
It appears that the Republicans in West Virginia are now scrambling to try and find someone to run against Governor Joe Manchin. Their best hope, Representative Shelley Moore Capito, apparently will not run for the seat held currently by interim Senator Carte Goodwin. In a match up between Capito and Manchin, it was expected that Manchin would win, but that it would be a close race. Her decision to not run comes despite the compromise that was put into the special election bill allowing her to run for both the House and the Senate.

Candidates have until Friday to sign up for the special primary which will be held on 28 August. The winners of those will face off on 2 November.

The Republicans are possibly looking at John Raese, who is independently wealthy, has expressed interest in the race, but has not said one way or the other. Raese has already run for that seat and lost to Byrd in 2006. He also ran against Senator Jay Rockefeller in the 1980′s.

For many people on both sides of the aisle, it is likely that the best time to run for this office will be in 2012 and not this year. By that point, the luster of Manchin’s successes in West Virginia as Governor will probably have worn off. Even if he is still formidable then, it would be more likely that a run for a possibly open seat in 2014 would be a better shot when Senator Rockefeller could retire.

Note:

Comments regarding Governor Manchin are more than welcome; however, please understand that this article does not constitute an endorsement of him or his policies in any way shape or form.

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