Rockefeller to retire, giving GOP a prime pickup opportunity

The Hill ^

[SMGFan]

Sen. Jay Rockefeller (D-W.Va.) announced Friday that he will not run for reelection in 2014, giving Republicans a prime pickup opportunity in a state that's grown increasingly red in recent years. “As I approach 50 years of public service in West Virginia, I’ve decided that 2014 will be the right moment for me to find new ways to fight for the causes I believe in and to spend more time with my incredible family," Rockefeller said in a statement. Republicans already have their top recruit in place for the race. Rep. Shelley Moore Capito (R-W.Va.) threw her hat in the ring late last year, and is considered the front-runner for the seat, should she survive what could be a tough GOP primary. National Republican Senatorial Committee Executive Director Rob Collins said West Virginia is an "even stronger pickup opportunity" now that Rockefeller has stepped aside.

Read more: http://thehill.com/blogs/ballot-box/senate-races/276667-rockefeller-to-resign-from-senate#ixzz2HiQP0sLr

[fieldmarshaldj]

I think the sole reason Oliverio lost was because he really pissed off the Democrat party establishment liberals in the state (because Republican McKinley wasn’t what I would’ve termed a premier candidate). He’d be better off switching parties and running for another office in the state (though he passed on this past year when he should’ve made a move).