Trending
It was our pleasure Wednesday to report a piece of really good news: U.S. Rep. David McKinley, R-W.Va., has decided to seek re-election.
Since McKinley took his seat in Congress in 2011, he has represented our region of West Virginia capably and courageously. If a proposal in the House of Representatives seemed good for us, McKinley backed it strongly. If it appeared to be a bad idea, he fought it with equal dedication.
One of his accomplishments sums up his work on behalf of all Americans, and West Virginians in particular: A few years ago, the Environmental Protection Agency suggested it was going to regulate coal ash as a toxic material. The move came as President Barack Obama's administration was winning victory after victory in its war on coal and affordable electricity.
McKinley fought back. He pointed out coal ash is used in a variety of common products. He noted the EPA plan would cost thousands of jobs and drive up the price of electricity.
And he won. He led a campaign that forced the EPA to back away and consider reasonable rules on coal ash.
McKinley's decision to continue in service to the First Congressional District of West Virginia is, then, very welcome news.