BECKLEY, W.Va. — U.S. Rep. Nick Rahall might have handily won his 20th race to represent West Virginia’s 3rd District, but the real campaign may have just begun following his defeat of political newcomer Richard Ojeda.
Rahall was called the winner shortly after 9:30 p.m.
“I’m very honored and humbled and grateful to the people of southern West Virginia,” Rahall said. “They have once again nominated me to represent my party in the fall elections.”
But Rahall threw down the gauntlet early in the victory speech to call out Republican challenger Evan Jenkins, who switched parties so he could run against Rahall for Congress.
“The lines are now clearly drawn,” Rahall said. “West Virginia’s working families against out-of-state billionaires and their puppet.”
Rahall said he would challenge Jenkins to several debates over the months leading up to the general election in November.
Rahall, who has served in the House since 1977, is the top-ranking Democrat on the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure.
Ojeda retired after serving in the Army for 24 years. In his first-ever run for political office, Ojeda took 34 percent of the vote in the West Virginia 3rd District with more than 90 percent of the precincts reporting…