John Raese has received the Charleston Daily Mail’s endorsement. That’s a pretty big deal for a Republican challenging the Governor of West Virginia for this Senate seat.

For a sense of it, just consider that the newspaper considers their choice a “painful” one.

WEST Virginians must soon choose who will represent them in the U.S. Senate for the next two years. The issue in the race is how Democrats have used their 59-41 majority, and whether West Virginians want to see more of the same.

The Daily Mail endorses Republican John Raese.

Make no mistake. That choice is painful.

Gov. Joe Manchin is one of the most engaging and effective governors in the state’s history. He has tackled many of the state-erected barriers to economic growth – a broken workers’ compensation system, uncompetitive tax rates, an unfair legal climate.

The governor also has tried to educate liberal Washington on what its barmy energy plans would do to the U.S. economy.

But it’s no use.