Associated Press Published

Mooney Gains Contender in Own Party

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Republican Congressman Alex Mooney has a contender within his party eyeing his seat.

Last week, Republican pharmacist Ken Reed opened a pre-candidacy account to run for the U.S. House.

Reed came in second to Mooney last year in a seven-member Republican primary. He lost by about 4,800 votes, or about 14 percentage points.

Reed ran from a Berkeley Springs address last election. This time, he has an address across the state in Charleston.

Reed raised $572,500 for his 2014 bid, and $525,000 of that money was from a self-loan.

Mooney defeated Democrat Nick Casey by about 5,000 votes in the general election, or about 3 percentage points.

Mooney had almost $115,000 in his campaign account at the end of March.

Reed did not immediately respond to an email for comment.