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West Virginia Could Elect First Female U.S. Senator
By: Associated Press
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With little to worry about in May 13 primaries, Natalie Tennant and Shelley Moore Capito are focused on a likely November matchup for a key U.S. Senate seat.
Either way, West Virginia could make history. The state has never elected a female U.S. senator.
Democratic Secretary of State Tennant and Republican Congresswoman Capito are eyeing a seat that's been untouchable since 1985. Democratic Sen. Jay Rockefeller is retiring after five terms.
West Virginia has only sent Democrats to the Senate for 55 years.
Tennant has endorsements from Rockefeller, Democratic U.S. Sen. Joe Manchin, unions and pro-abortion rights groups. Capito has business interests in her corner, including West Virginia's coal industry.
Political analysts call Capito the favorite, particularly because of President Barack Obama's unpopularity and tepid midterm conditions for Democrats.