By J. Miles Layton
Times West Virginian
FAIRMONT —
Political experts predict a close race for the 1st Congressional District in November.
Mike Oliverio, D-Monongalia, defeated 14-term incumbent Rep. Alan Mollohan in a bruising Democratic primary battle for the 1st Congressional District in May. Oliverio faces Republican David McKinley in the general election on Nov. 2.
Republicans need to pick up 40 seats to take over the reigns of the House of Representatives as the majority party.
If the election were held today, Larry Sabato predicts Republicans would pick up at least 47 seats. Director of the University of Virginia’s Center for Politics, Sabato’s crystal ball predictions were nearly 100 percent accurate during the 2008 election. Sabato forecasts the 1st Congressional District as an open seat.
