Rahall touts pro-coal, anti-EPA votes in ad

Rep. Nick Rahall (D-W.Va.) is using his latest reelection campaign advertisement to tout his record supporting the coal industry and to criticize outside spending against him.

“I fight to protect coal miners, their jobs and pensions,” Rahall said in the ad released Sunday. “I voted against the cap-and-trade bill, and I took on the [Environmental Protection Agency] to save West Virginia jobs.”

{mosads}Rahall is in a very tough fight this year to keep his seat in an increasingly conservative area with strong opposition to President Obama’s policies, especially those that could harm the coal industry.

The 19-term congressman has worked to distance himself from Obama and has earned the endorsement of the United Mineworkers of America in his fight against Republican Evan Jenkins.

The Koch brothers-based Americans for Prosperity started running ads in West Virginia last month against the Affordable Care Act, which Rahall voted for.

“When out-of-state billionaires spend millions to lie about my record, it’s time to set things straight,” Rahall said in his recent ad.

Americans for Prosperity isn’t the only outside group involved in the race. Jenkins made a similar accusation after the House Majority PAC started running ads against him.