Mike Oliverio

On February 1, 2010, Oliverio announced his candidacy for West Virginia's 1st congressional district seat. http://www.mikeoliverio.com

Energy
Establishment Democrats Embrace Their Own Tea Party-Backed Insurgent. http://tpmdc.talkingpointsmemo.com/2010/05/14-term-incumbent-rep-mollohan-loses-wv-primary-to-more-conservative-dem.php. June 15, 2010. When Democrat Mike Oliverio defeated democratic incumbent Allan Mollohan for the House seat in West Virginia’s 1st District, many were surprised to see a candidate with conservative views be elected as the democratic candidate. Oliverio likely gain support from his opposition of cap-and-trade legislation, a policy Mollohan did not oppose, and one likely to burdene the coal-based energy economy of WV District 1.

Rep. Alan Mollohan loses in West Virginia. http://www.politico.com/news/stories/0510/37113.html. May 12, 2010. An article that announces Mike Oliverio as the democratic nominee for WV District 1 describes his victory over 14-term incumbent Allan Mollohan as due in part to voters angry over Mollohan’s stance on cap-and-trade legislation. In a coal-dependent West Virginia economy many local newspapers criticized Mollohan for not speaking out more strongly against the cap-and-trade bill, an act that could potentially shrink the coal industry.

Health
Oliverio and Mollohan Duel in 1st District Democrat Race. http://www.news-register.net/page/content.detail/id/537511.html?nav=515. May 7, 2010. An article that chronicle’s Oliverio’s contest with incumbent Allan Mollohan for the position of democratic candidate for West Virginia District 1, cited a turning point may have been their conflicting stances on the Obama health care bill. The bill raised the question that it might fund abortions and subsequently, Mollohan's "yes" vote on the bill cost him the support of the National Right to Life Committee. The pro-life committee has since switched it support to Oliverio.

Alan Mollohan Loses West Virginia Democratic Primary To Mike Oliverio. http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2010/05/11/alan-mollohan-loses-west_n_572707.html. May 12, 2010. An article published by the Huffington Post in May catalogues Oliverio’s defeat of incumbent Allan Mollohan for the democratic candidacy for the House in West Virginia’s 1st District. One of Oliverio’s strongest supporters in his victory was the anti-abortion group Susan B. Anthony List. The group spent $78,000 on the 1st District race and made 80,000 prerecorded calls on Oliverio's behalf.

Oliverio Wins Nomination to WV 1st Congressional District. http://www.wdtv.com/index.php/home/local-news/1760-oliverio-wins-nomination-to-wv-1st-congressional-district. May 12, 2010. An article that declares Oliverio’s nomination as democratic candidate for WV District 1 cites that his victory was due in part to incumbent Mollohan’s support of the Obama health care bill. Anti-abortion groups that had previously supported Mollohan became angry when he supported a health care bill that may be used to fund abortions, subsequently changing their support to Oliverio and helping him to defeat the 14-term incumbent.