Coal $ could flow through door high court opened

The West Virgina race for Congress between incumbent Democratic Rep. Nick Rahall and Republican Elliott "Spike" Maynard could be the first test case for the Supreme Court's Citizens United decision that allows corporations, unions and non-profit organizations to spend unlimited funds to back or oppose candidates in federal elections.

The decision has stirred interest in the coal industry in playing a role in elections in Central Appalachian states, though no fund-raising and spending has yet been manifested. Larry Sabato, director of the University of Virginia's Center for Politics, notes West Virginia already has a history of big energy campaign donations and Citizens United could lead to even more spending, Paul J. Nyden of The Charleston Gazette reports.

"Few companies seem willing so far to get too far in front, since this spending would bring a great deal of criticism with it, maybe even from some shareholders," Sabato told Nyden. "However, it's been suggested that energy companies may be among the boldest this year in testing the new court-permitted expenditures." Nyden notes, "Last month, Roger Nicholson, senior vice president of the Scott Depot-based International Coal Group, sent e-mails to other mining executives suggesting they take advantage of the decision allowing companies or unions to fund independent political committees."

Much of the coal spending is expected to be in support of Maynard, thought Rahall has received campaign donations from Peabody Energy, Consolidation Coal, Arch Coal and Patriot Coal, among other companies, Nyden reports. "Any of these groups that desire to put a great deal of money into advertisements trying to sway the outcome of the election must realize an individual like Nick Joe Rahall has performed so well for the citizens of his district that they have learned to trust and respect him," State Democratic Chairman Larry Puccio told Nyden. "Some ads on television will not change the commitment citizens have to Congressman Rahall or the commitment Rahall has to his constituents." (Read more)

In Kentucky, the Senate race between Republican Rand Paul and Democrat Jack Conway has bene mentioned as a possible playing ground for coal money, supporting Paul and opposing Conway.