WHEELING - U.S. Rep. Alan Mollohan is hoping to make it 30 years of service in the U.S. House after filing for re-election Monday.
Mollohan, D-W.Va., is seeking his 15th consecutive two-year term in Congress in 2010. He holds the 1st Congressional District seat previously occupied by his father, Robert Mollohan.
Political insiders had speculated that Democratic leadership was pushing Mollohan, 66, toward retirement amid rumors of a federal investigation into his finances, and subsequent problems with raising funds for this year's election.
Mollohan's most recent campaign finance filing - submitted on Sept. 30 - shows him with $30,118 on hand going into this year's campaign. The next round of campaign finance reports are due Jan. 31.
Mollohan could not be reached for comment Monday. But a statement released by the National Republican Campaign Committee indicated just how contentious the race in West Virginia's 1st Congressional District could be in 2010.
"Alan Mollohan earned himself an uphill re-election battle after waffling on cap-and-trade, supporting Obama's healthcare takeover and funding ACORN with taxpayer money," said NRCC spokesman Andy Sere. "He's grown increasingly out of touch after 27 years in Washington, and it's time for him to go. The only question is whether the GOP or the FBI gets to him first."
Republicans David McKinley of Wheeling and Mac Warner of Morgantown already have filed for the 1st District seat, and a number of pre-candidates also could file before the Jan. 31 deadline.
Mollohan received his bachelor's degree from the College of William and Mary in 1966, and his law degree from West Virginia University in 1970. An attorney, he served with the U.S. Army Reserves from 1970 until being sworn in to Congress in 1983.
Mollohan is a member of the House Appropriations Committee, which sets funding levels for all discretionary government programs.
He also serves as chairman of the House Subcommittee on Commerce, Justice, Science and Related Agencies. This subcommittee funds the departments of justice and commerce, as well as NASA, the National Science Foundation, and other agencies.
Mollohan also is a member of the Subcommittee on Interior, Environment and Related Agencies, and the Subcommittee on Homeland Security.